- The Governor General of Canada
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The Corporation of the Municipality of Meaford
Meaford, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
April 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 604
[ previous page ]
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Azure and Argent, in chief two schooners respectant Argent, in base three apples proper;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of staghorn sumac and trillium flowers, a rocky mount growing therefrom an eastern white pine tree proper;
Supporters
Two percherons proper winged Azure each gorged of maple leaves Vert and standing on a bed of ostrich ferns set with two garbs of wheat proper;
Motto
OUR HERITAGE • OUR FUTURE;
Symbolism
Arms
The division of the shield alludes to the shape of the Municipality of Meaford (in white) with Georgian Bay (in blue) to its north. The schooners refer to shipbuilding and recreational boating. The apples refer to the local apple growing industry. The three of them refer to the three municipalities that came together to form Meaford, namely the Township of St. Vincent, the Township of Sydenham and the Town of Meaford.
Crest
The pine tree represents the municipality’s natural setting, and alludes to the trees painted by local artists such as Tom Thomson and Fred Haines. The sumac and trillium are local flora, the latter also indicating that the municipality is located in Ontario.
Supporters
The percherons evoke the agricultural identity of the municipality. Their wings allude to Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, used as the crest and one of the supporters of the arms of the Earl of St. Vincent. The municipality was named after the earl’s home in England, Meaford Hall, and the Town of Meaford used his arms as its emblem. The garbs of wheat are taken from the emblem of the Township of Sydenham, and the maple leaves around the horses’ necks from that of the Township of St. Vincent. Ferns are prevalent around trails and natural settings of the municipality.
Motto
Not applicable.