- The Governor General of Canada
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The Corporation of the Municipality of Meaford
Meaford, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
April 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 604
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Azure and Argent, in chief two schooners respectant Argent, in base three apples proper;
Crest
Issuant from a circlet of staghorn sumac and trillium flowers, a rocky mount growing therefrom an eastern white pine tree proper;
Supporters
Two percherons proper winged Azure each gorged of maple leaves Vert and standing on a bed of ostrich ferns set with two garbs of wheat proper;
Motto
OUR HERITAGE • OUR FUTURE;
Flag
Per fess Argent and Azure an escutcheon of the Arms;
Badge
An apple Gules charged with a schooner Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
The division of the shield alludes to the shape of the Municipality of Meaford (in white) with Georgian Bay (in blue) to its north. The schooners refer to shipbuilding and recreational boating. The apples refer to the local apple growing industry. The three of them refer to the three municipalities that came together to form Meaford, namely the Township of St. Vincent, the Township of Sydenham and the Town of Meaford.
Crest
The pine tree represents the municipality’s natural setting, and alludes to the trees painted by local artists such as Tom Thomson and Fred Haines. The sumac and trillium are local flora, the latter also indicating that the municipality is located in Ontario.
Supporters
The percherons evoke the agricultural identity of the municipality. Their wings allude to Pegasus, the winged horse of Greek mythology, used as the crest and one of the supporters of the arms of the Earl of St. Vincent. The municipality was named after the earl’s home in England, Meaford Hall, and the Town of Meaford used his arms as its emblem. The garbs of wheat are taken from the emblem of the Township of Sydenham, and the maple leaves around the horses’ necks from that of the Township of St. Vincent. Ferns are prevalent around trails and natural settings of the municipality.
Motto
Not applicable.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
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 22, 2016, in Volume 150, page 3151 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
Ilona Jurkiewicz
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government