- 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.
William David Neelands
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
October 11, 2000
Vol. IV, p. 54
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a hare salient Argent gorged with a hunting horn Vert stringed and garnished Or, on a chief Argent four pine trees issuant from the baseline Azure;
Crest
On a grassy mound Vert a pinecone erect Or;
Motto
NON SIBI SED ALTERI;
Badge
On a cross patté Vair a pinecone erect Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The central part of the design is basically that of the original Scottish Kneland/Cleland family, hereditary foresters to the Earls of Douglas. To this has been added the white chief with the four pine trees, a reference to Dr. Neelands and his three brothers. As a pine forest in winter, it can also allude to the family’s early settlement in the Caledon area of Upper Canada in 1819. The blue and white colours are also those of the University of Toronto, with which Dr. Neelands has been associated for many years.
Crest
The seed-laden pinecone and the grass signal the return of new life after the cycle of winter, and can also refer to the new beginnings of the family settling in Canada, as well as to productivity and growth.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “Not for oneself but for the others”, and it is an expansion of the traditional Kneland/Cleland motto, Non Sibi (“Not for oneself”).
Badge
The vair refers to the pattern alternating blue and white sections found in arms associated with the Bosworth family, and thus makes a reference to Mrs. Neelands (née Mary Bosworth). This type of cross is often associated with Anglicanism, and thus marks their involvement with the church and Dr. Neelands’s status as a priest. The pinecone repeats the symbolism of the crest.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 24, 2001, in Volume 135, page 938 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert Black, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
Linda Nicholson
Calligrapher
Nancy Ellis
Recipient Information
Individual