- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Karl Heinrich Kopke
Dorval, Quebec
Registration of Arms
August 15, 2007
Vol. V, p. 168
[ previous page ]
Blazon
Arms
Sable on a mount Or two leg bones in saltire surmounted by a skull Argent issuant therefrom three heads of rye Or flanked on each side by a Hagal rune Argent;
Crest
Within a vol quarterly 1st and 4th Sable, 2nd Or and 3rd Argent charged on each wing with a Hagal rune conterchanged, three heads of rye Or;
Motto
RESURGAM;
Symbolism
Arms
The rye rising from the skull and crossbones portrays the idea of new life coming from death. The Hagal rune connects these arms to a similar design in long use by the family.
Crest
The pair of wings is often found in German heraldry, and here the colour division is used to distinguish it from other wing designs. The Hagal rune connects this crest to a similar design in long use by the family.
Motto
The motto, meaning “I shall rise again”, had been found on many old engravings and carvings for the family in Germany. It alludes to the many members who were Lutheran pastors and theological scholars. It also is connected to resurgence in its use because the motto has not been used since 1941 in Germany.