- The Governor General of Canada
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Corporation of the City of Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Registration of Arms, Supporters and Badge
September 29, 1992
Vol. II, p. 204
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Blazon
Arms
Gules issuant from a base wavy Argent charged with two barrulets wavy Azure a Lake Ontario Martello tower proper in chief an antique crown Or;
Crest
On a rock proper rising from water barry wavy Argent and Azure a beaver statant Or;
Supporters
Dexter a griffin segreant Or charged on the shoulder with a maple leaf Gules sinister a lion rampant Or charged on the shoulder with a like maple leaf;
Motto
PRO REGE GREGE ET LEGE;
Symbolism
Arms
The Martello Tower represents the four such towers built as military fortifications along Kingston’s harbour in the 1840s, thus referring to the city’s military heritage. The crown alludes to the city’s name (“King’s town”). The waves represent the confluence of Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and the Cataraqui River/Rideau Canal system.
Crest
The beaver, found on the city’s seal dating from 1853, symbolizes the importance of the fur trade at the time of Fort Cataraqui, founded in 1673 by the Comte de Frontenac, Governor of New France. The rock refers to Cataraqui, derived from the Mohawk word katarokwi, meaning “a place where there is clay or limestone.” The rock also alludes to the city’s limestone fortifications and buildings.
Supporters
The griffin alludes to the griffin claws on the arms of the Comte de Frontenac, thus referring to the French heritage of Kingston. The lion, used as a supporter for the city’s 1899 arms, refers to its British heritage. As one of the supporters of the Royal Arms of Canada, it refers to Kingston’s status as the capital of the province of Canada from 1841 to 1844. The maple leaves represent Canada.
Motto
This Latin phrase, meaning “For the King, the people and the law,” alludes to the city’s name and the fact that it once served as the provincial capital. It was used as the city’s motto since circa 1899.