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

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Patrick Hubert Ryan

Debert, Nova Scotia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Connor James Ryan and Christopher Sean Ryan
September 15, 2014
Vol. VI, p. 457

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


Blazon

Arms

Azure three griffins’ heads erased, on a chief Or two barrulets Sable;

Crest

Issuant from a circlet of thistles Or a demi-griffin Azure armed Or holding in its claws a sword Argent point in base hilted Or;

Motto

AIMING HIGH FOR CHRIST;

Badge

A saltire nowy Azure charged with two swords in saltire Argent hilted Or points in base enfiling an ancient crown Or jewelled proper;

Flag

A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Or charged with the Crest between two representations of the Badge separated by two bends sinister Argent inscribed with the Motto in letters Sable;

Differenced Arms for Connor James Ryan, son of Patrick Hubert Ryan

The Arms of Patrick Hubert Ryan debruised of a three-point label Argent during his father’s lifetime. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Differenced Arms for Christopher Sean Ryan, son of Patrick Hubert Ryan

The Arms of Patrick Hubert Ryan within a bordure compony Azure and Or.


Symbolism

Arms

The blue field symbolizes Nova Scotia, Mr. Ryan’s home. The griffin heads, found in other Ryan arms of Ireland, allude to his Irish ancestry. Black and yellow are the colours of the Duchy of Württemberg, in present-day Germany, from where another branch of his family emigrated to Nova Scotia. The pattern of horizontal stripes is inspired by the arms of Isenburg, the family’s ancestral town in Württemberg.

Crest

The thistles refer to Mr. Ryan’s Scottish ancestry. The griffin holding a sword illustrates his forebears’ service to country and his own career in the Canadian military.

Motto

Not applicable.

Badge

The coronet represents Mr. Ryan’s and his ancestors’ service to their sovereigns. The swords are another reference to Mr. Ryan’s military career, and the X shape alludes to the cross of St. Andrew and thus his Scottish and Nova Scotian heritage.

Flag

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

Differenced Arms for Connor James Ryan, son of Patrick Hubert Ryan

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

Differenced Arms for Christopher Sean Ryan, son of Patrick Hubert Ryan

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 October 3, 2015, in Volume 149, page 2335 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Patrick Ryan and Mark Elson, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Robert Grey

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Individual