- 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.
Grey Howick Merivale Austin
Calgary, Alberta
Grant of Arms
September 15, 2010
Vol. V, p. 551
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure on a chevron engrailed between three Latin crosses Or, three roses Gules barbed Vert seeded Or;
Crest
Issuant from a wreath of dwarf poinciana flowers proper, a demi-lion Or charged on its shoulder with three gouttes de poix and holding in its dexter paw a Latin cross erablé Gules;
Motto
MENS CONSCIA RECTI;
Symbolism
Arms
The arms and crest are based on an 1852 grant by the English Kings of Arms to the Right Reverend William Piercy Austin, Bishop of Guyana (1807-1892) and to other descendants of his grandfather Col. Thomas Austin (d. 1806). Grey Austin has established his descent to the satisfaction of the College of Arms. In this version of the arms, the blue field represents Mr. Austin’s service as an officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. The three wild roses represent the Province of Alberta, where Mr. Austin has resided for most of his life. The passion crosses commemorate the service of Bishop Austin to the Church of England in the Caribbean and South America and his term as prelate of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George.
Crest
The cross of maple leaves indicates that these arms belong to a Canadian branch of Col. Thomas Austin’s descendents; in addition, the four maple leaves on the arms of the cross represent Mr. Austin’s four Canadian-born children and four Canadian-born grandchildren. The three black drops honour Mr. Austin’s long career as a petroleum geologist. The wreath of Dwarf Poinciana flowers, the floral emblem of Barbados, represents Mr. Austin’s Barbadian origins.
Motto
Meaning “A mind conscious of rectitude,” this motto was first used by William Piercy Austin.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 26, 2011, in Volume 145, page 1076 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Grey Austin and Forrest Pass, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Audrey Joan Merrington
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual