- 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.
James William Rourke
St. Catharines, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges, with differences to Angela Marie Rourke, Johnathan Robert Wessel, Leanna Eileen Rourke and Kurtis Wayne Harvey
November 15, 2013
Vol. VI, p. 276
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per fess wavy Or and Sable three mullets in fess Gules between two lions passant counterchanged;
Crest
Issuant from a bar wavy Azure crested Argent a demi-otter Sable gauntletted Or grasping a sword proper;
Motto
ĊUN BUA;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A cross Gules surmounted by a three-towered castle Or enflamed proper;
Differenced Arms for Angela Marie Rourke, daughter of James William Rourke
The Arms of James William Rourke debruised of a three-point label Gules; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Badge
A chevron Gules surmounted by a heart held by two hands Or;
Differenced Arms for Johnathan Robert Wessel, grandson of James William Rourke
The Arms of James William Rourke debruised of a five-point label Gules;
Badge
An owl’s head erased proper collared Gules;
Differenced Arms for Leanna Eileen Rourke, daughter of James William Rourke
The Arms of James William Rourke debruised of a quatrefoil Gules in place of the central mullet;
Badge
An Irish wolfhound’s head proper charged with a quatrefoil Gules;
Differenced Arms for Kurtis Wayne Harvey, grandson of James William Rourke
The Arms of his mother Leanna Eileen Rourke debruised by a three-point label Gules;
Badge
A soccer ball proper charged with a scorpion Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
The colours and figures of these arms are based on those of other O’Rourkes in Ireland. The three red stars are taken from the arms of Frew families and honour Mr. Rourke’s Scottish heritage. The wavy division line symbolizes a sine wave to represent career as a technology consultant.
Crest
The otter, known in Irish folklore as Dubh Dobhar-chú, is a fierce creature inhabiting waterways. Here it symbolizes a love of the sea and of life. Its armour and sword evoke the crest of the O’Rourkes of Ireland. The wavy bar is in honour of past and present generations who served in various naval services.
Motto
This Irish Gaelic phrase means “To victory”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The badge for Mr. Rourke combines emblems from his two favourite cities: the red cross from the arms of Montreal and the burning castle from the arms of Dublin. The red cross also represents Mr. Rourke’s service to religious service organizations.
Differenced Arms for Angela Marie Rourke, daughter of James William Rourke
The label indicates that she is the eldest child and designated heir of her father’s arms.
Badge
The helping hand embodies ideas of friendship, and the chevron symbolizes the role of protection and support both as a union representative and as a roof for her cottage by the lake.
Differenced Arms for Johnathan Robert Wessel, grandson of James William Rourke
The label of five points indicates a second-generation designated heir to his grandfather’s arms.
Badge
The owl in his badge is his favourite bird and represents his pursuit of self-mastery, wisdom and knowledge.
Differenced Arms for Leanna Eileen Rourke, daughter of James William Rourke
The shamrock of four petals indicates her Irish heritage and good fortune.
Badge
The wolfhound symbolizes her affection for dogs.
Differenced Arms for Kurtis Wayne Harvey, grandson of James William Rourke
The label indicates that he will inherit the arms of his mother, Leanna Eileen Rourke.
Badge
The soccer ball represents his favourite game, and the scorpion alludes to his astrological sign, Scorpio.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 22, 2014, in Volume 148, page 656 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of James William Rourke and Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual