The Governor General of Canada

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Differenced Arms for Cody Mitchell Elwood Lawson Gray, son of Thomas Lawson Gray

Differenced Arms for Kaelie Cecile June Gray, daughter of Thomas Lawson Gray

Differenced Arms for Taylor James Patrick Gray, son of Thomas Lawson Gray

Differenced Arms for Renée Olivia Faith Gray, daughter of Thomas Lawson Gray

Differenced Arms for Courtney-Lee Rachelle Gray, daughter of Thomas Lawson Gray

Thomas Lawson Gray

Cambridge, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Cody Mitchell Elwood Lawson Gray, Kaelie Cecile June Gray, Taylor James Patrick Gray, Renée Olivia Faith Gray, Courtney-Lee Rachelle Gray, Patrick John Michael Gray and Todd Gabriel Joseph Gray
August 20, 2015
Vol. VI, p. 542

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

Blazon

Arms

Per fess Gules and Argent a pile throughout counterchanged, overall a griffin segreant Or gorged with a coronet erablé affixed thereto a chain Azure;

Crest

A lion rampant Argent gorged with a coronet erablé Gules and supporting an anchor Or;

Motto

FAITH • PERSEVERANCE • HOPE;

Flag

A standard of two points, the Arms in hoist, the fly per fess Or and Gules charged with a Celtic cross Azure and the Crest;

Differenced Arms for Cody Mitchell Elwood Lawson Gray, son of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray within a bordure Or;

Differenced Arms for Kaelie Cecile June Gray, daughter of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray within a bordure invected Or;

Differenced Arms for Taylor James Patrick Gray, son of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray within a bordure engrailed Or. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Differenced Arms for Renée Olivia Faith Gray, daughter of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray within a bordure indented Or;

Differenced Arms for Courtney-Lee Rachelle Gray, daughter of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray within a bordure embattled Or;

Differenced Arms for Patrick John Michael Gray, son of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray within a bordure wavy Or;

Differenced Arms for Todd Gabriel Joseph Gray, son of Thomas Lawson Gray

The Arms of Thomas Lawson Gray debruised within of a bordure nebuly Or;

Symbolism

Arms

Red and white are the colours of Canada, referring to Mr. Gray’s nationality. The reversed triangle in the background produces an upward movement, which the horizontal division reinforces, connoting the separation of divine and human worlds. The contrasting colours emphasize love and light (represented in white) in opposition to ignorance and darkness (in red). For Mr. Gray, the griffin’s dual eagle-lion nature, making it at the same time lord of the sky realm and of earthly beasts, represents Jesus Christ as king of heaven and earth. The griffin also characterizes strength and courage, and by extension Christ’s resurrection. The collar and chain, similar to the devices of the unicorn in the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom and Canada, represent Mr. Gray’s Scottish heritage and his support for the monarchy.

Crest

The white lion and gold anchor are from the arms of other Gray families of Scotland. The anchor symbolizes hope and steadfastness. The maple leaf coronet represents Mr. Gray’s attachment to Canada.

Motto

This phrase is inspired by the motto of the chiefs of the Gray clan, “Anchor Fast Anchor”, and, in addition to evoking the arms, echoes Isaiah 40:31, “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles”.