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.

George Ralph Nye

Red Deer, Alberta
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges, with differences to Ian Ross Nye and Keith McLane Nye
August 15, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 438

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


Blazon

Arms

Azure a millstone Argent charged with a millrind Gules, on a chief wavy cotised wavy Argent a rod of Aesculapius Gules between two escallops Azure;

Motto

PERSEVERANCE • DUTY • PRESERVATION;

Crest

Issuant from a tower Argent masoned Azure within a circlet of flax blossoms and mayflowers proper a demi-griffin Azure winged Argent holding in its dexter claw a sword Gules;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

A closed book Azure charged with a millrind Argent;

Badge

A millstone Azure charged with an escallop Argent;

Differenced Arms for Ian Ross Nye, son of George Ralph Nye

The Arms of George Ralph Nye debruised of a three-point label Or during his father’s lifetime; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Differenced of Keith McLane Nye, son of George Ralph Nye

The Arms of George Ralph Nye within a bordure Or.


Symbolism

Arms

The wavy lines allude to the name of Nye meaning “near the water” in Middle English. The shells represent a pilgrimage by Dr. and Mrs. Nye to the Holy Land, and they also represent their two sons. The mill stone alludes to the mill built by Benjamin Nye, Dr. Nye’s ancestor, in Sandwich, Massachusetts, circa 1670. The snake and rod emblem symbolizes Dr. Nye’s surgical career.

Motto

Not applicable.

Crest

The mayflowers allude to Dr. Nye’s descent from John Howland and Thomas Rogers, passengers on the ship Mayflower that brought immigrants to New England in 1620. The flax blossoms allude to his mother’s descent from Joseph McLane, a flax and linen merchant who was a Planter (i.e., one of the original English-speaking settlers) of Cobequid, Nova Scotia, in 1780. The tower is inspired by the crest of Maclean of Duart. The sword alludes to the Nye family tradition of military service, beginning with King Philip’s War in New England (1675-1678). The griffin, a guardian of treasure, symbolizes Dr. Nye’s reputation as a researcher and keeper of treasured family histories.

Flag

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

Badge

The mill rind alludes to the millstone in the arms. The book represents Dr. Nye’s publications.

Badge

The mill rind and shell allude to those in the arms.

Differenced Arms for Ian Ross Nye, son of George Ralph Nye

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

Differenced of Keith McLane Nye, son of George Ralph Nye

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 March 14, 2015, in Volume 149, page 502 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
David Farrar

Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek


Recipient Information

Individual