- The Governor General of Canada
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John Cameron Cairns
Perth, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
May 24, 1995
Vol. III, p. 23
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Blazon
Arms
Per saltire Azure and Argent four Canadian martlets counterchanged;
Motto
VIRTUS EX ALTO;
Symbolism
Arms
The martlet is an element which appears in many Cairns arms. The martlets are drawn with the wings and tails forming a maple leaf and refer to the Canadian branch of the family. The birds are shown in flight and reflect Canon Cairns’s penchant for travel. The saltire pattern of the shield and the colours of blue and white allude to the Scottish birth of both his parents. The shield is ensigned with a black clerical hat with black cords and red tassels, denoting his degree of Priest and Canon.
Motto
Meaning “Power from on high”, this is taken from Luke 24:49 and emphasizes Canon Cairns’s vocation as priest and pays homage to his father’s long service with Northern Electric.