The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

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 David Watson

East St. Paul, Manitoba
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to John Alistair West Watson and Andrew William Roy Watson
December 15, 2008
Vol. V, p. 380

Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.


Blazon

Arms

Argent on a chevron Azure between three martlets Sable, three garbs Or;

Crest

A griffin passant Argent membered beaked and gorged with a ducal coronet Or grasping in his dexter claw a rod Azure entwined by a serpent Or;

Motto

MINISTRO;

Badge

On a hurt a griffin sejant Argent membered beaked and gorged with a ducal coronet grasping in his dexter claw a rod Argent entwined by a serpent Or;

Flag

A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Or charged with the Crest and the Badge separated by a bend Argent fimbriated Azure inscribed with the Motto in letters Sable;

Differenced Arms for John Alistair West Watson, son of John David Watson

The Arms of John David Watson debruised of a three-point label Or; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;

Differenced Arms for Andrew William Roy Watson, son of John David Watson

The Arms of John David Watson within a bordure Or;


Symbolism

Arms

The white shield, blue chevron and black martlets are features of other Watson arms from Ireland. The wheat represents the Canadian prairies, where Dr. Watson has lived throughout his life.

Crest

Griffin heads gorged with ducal coronets are frequently used as Watson crests; here, a full griffin is shown supporting the rod of Aesculapius, a mark of Dr. Watson’s vocation as a doctor of medicine.

Motto

MINISTRO which means “I serve.”

Badge

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Flag

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Differenced Arms for John Alistair West Watson, son of John David Watson

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Differenced Arms for Andrew William Roy Watson, son of John David Watson

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on December 12, 2009, in Volume 143, page 3680 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of John Neill, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Debra MacGarvie

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Individual