- 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.
Colin Robert Johnson
Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, with differences to Andrea Ellen MacLean, Rachel Jessica Johnson and Timothy Colin Miller Johnson
August 15, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 435
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Gules two Tau crosses in pale their crossbars to the centre, all between 1st and 4th a dove close holding in its beak a sprig of olive and 2nd and 3rd a rose Argent;
Motto
FOR THE LEAST OF THESE;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of trilliums Argent, a bookwheel Gules its books Argent;
Differenced Arms for Andrea Ellen MacLean, daughter of Colin Robert Johnson
The Arms of Colin Robert Johnson debruised of a three-point label Or during her father’s lifetime This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Differenced Arms for Rachel Jessica Johnson, daughter of Colin Robert Johnson
The Arms of Colin Robert Johnson charged at the fess point with a lozenge fesswise Vert bearing a lamb couchant Argent;
Differenced Arms for Timothy Colin Miller Johnson, son of Colin Robert Johnson
The Arms of Colin Robert Johnson charged at the fess point with a pomme bearing a trillium Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
Red and white are the main colours of the arms of the Anglican Church of Canada. The Tau cross is an ecclesiastical symbol of particular importance to Archbishop Johnson, and its “T” form also refers to Trinity College and to Toronto. The doubling of the symbol alludes to the double-traversed cross of an archbishop and thus to his status as Metropolitan of Ontario. The dove, which appears in the arms of the Diocese of Toronto, also alludes to the name Colin, which means “dove” in Scots Gaelic. The white roses recall the historical name of Toronto, York, and indicate that Archbishop Johnson once held the title Archdeacon of York.
Motto
This phrase, from Matthew 25:40, is an important expression of the social teaching of the Gospel for Archbishop Johnson.
Crest
The bookwheel, a 16th century invention for consulting several books at once, alludes to the Johnson family’s love of books and learning. The trillium flowers refer to Ontario, as well as to the fact that Archbishop Johnson’s father served as a member of the Ontario Legislature.
Differenced Arms for Andrea Ellen MacLean, daughter of Colin Robert Johnson
The three-point label indicates that she is the eldest child and will inherit the arms.
Differenced Arms for Rachel Jessica Johnson, daughter of Colin Robert Johnson
The lamb refers to the name Rachel, meaning “lamb” in Hebrew.
Differenced Arms for Timothy Colin Miller Johnson, son of Colin Robert Johnson
The trillium flower alludes to his love of the outdoors, especially the natural life of Ontario.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 14, 2015, in Volume 149, page 502 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
David Farrar
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Individual