- 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.
John Alexander Macdonald
Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of Arms
March 15, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 214
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Blazon
Arms
Quarterly: first, Argent a lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure; second, Or a dexter hand couped fessways proper holding a cross-crosslet fitchée Azure; third, Or a lymphad sails furled and oars in action Sable flagged Gules; fourth, barry wavy of six Argent and Azure a salmon naiant proper; overall on a fess Vert a covered cup between two sprigs of three maple leaves Or;
Crest
A dexter forearm couped palewise proper the hand holding a balance fesswise together with a sprig of three maple leaves Or;
Motto
PER AQUAM ET TERRAM;
Symbolism
Arms
The four quarters are the arms of the chief of Macdonald of Sleat, which Sir John A. Macdonald used during his lifetime; for example, on his bookplate. The additional fess contains two sprigs of maple leaves to indicate his Canadian and Ontarian identity, and a covered cup that honours his mother’s Scottish family of Shaw, whose arms bear such cups.
Crest
The hand is a traditional element of a Macdonald crest and was used by Sir John during his lifetime. The maple leaves symbolize his Canadian identity. The scales represent his profession as a lawyer.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “By sea and land”.