- The Governor General of Canada
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Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
Montmagny, Quebec
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Colin Maximilien Lavergne, Hugues Karl Auguste Lavergne and Mélisande Eugénie-Rose Constance Lavergne
November 15, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 227
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Blazon
Arms
Quarterly, 1st Azure a cygnet wings addorsed Argent beaked and legged Or, its dexter leg raised, 2nd and 3rd Argent three bars wavy Azure, 4th Azure;
Crest
A demi-swan displayed proper holding in its beak an alder leaf and issuant from a circlet of trident heads Or;
Motto
PLUS QU’HIER;
Symbolism
Arms
Young and awkward in the shield, mature and elegant in the Crest, the swan alludes to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, a fairy tale which reminds Mr. Lavergne that anyone can reach their full potential. He also considers this bird a symbol of self-control: always appearing calm on the surface, while constantly paddling its feet beneath the water. The wavy blue stripes represent Mr. Lavergne’s love for the sea and for water sports such as sailing and diving. Their number in each quadrant honours his three children. Devoid of any charges, the blue field evokes openness to the world and the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity for learning and discovery.
Crest
The swan repeats the symbolism of the Arms. The trident emphasizes Mr. Lavergne’s role in the Royal Canadian Navy as a training officer, as well as his three children’s experience as sea cadets. The alder leaf—vergne being one of its names in French—refers to the Lavergne surname.
Motto
A French phrase meaning “More than yesterday,” this family maxim is an encouragement to continuously strive for improvement.