- The Governor General of Canada
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Mark George Peacock
Westmount, Quebec
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Grant Seaton Spencer Peacock and Claire Katherine Ann Peacock
November 15, 2016
Vol. VI, p. 648
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a saltire serpentine Argent;
Crest
A peacock’s head and neck issuant from a bridge proper;
Motto
NEVER DONE, NEVER DAUNTED;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A stag’s head caboshed ensigned by three peacock feathers bound proper, all within a belt Sable edged and buckled Or inscribed with the Motto in letters Argent;
Differenced Arms for Grant Seaton Spencer Peacock, son of Mark George Peacock
The Arms of Mark George Peacock debruised in chief of a peacock feather Argent; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;
Differenced Arms for Claire Katherine Ann Peacock, daughter of Mark George Peacock
The Arms of Mark George Peacock with the saltire of the Arms between four peacock feathers nibs inward Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
Blue and white, being the colours of the flags of both Scotland and Quebec, represent the 1838-1842 migration of the Peacocks from Dundee, Scotland, to their current home in Montreal, Quebec. The X-shape evokes the curule seat used in medieval times by dispensers of justice, and thus Mr. Peacock’s present role as a Superior Court judge. The slopes of the upper part represent Mount Royal and Westmount in Montreal, as well as the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, the province of birth of Mr. Peacock’s wife, Dru L. Spencer. For Mr. Peacock, the lower section, evoking a bridge, represents bridges between Scotland and Canada, the English and French cultures in Canada, and the civil and common law in his occupation. It also represents waves, and evokes recognition of three major rivers: the Ottawa River, relating to Mr. Peacock’s birth home in Ottawa; the Rideau River, connecting to Kingston, Ontario, where he studied law; and the St. Lawrence River, flowing past Quebec City where he also studied law, and on which his daughter Claire trained as a competitive rower.
Crest
The bird alludes to Mr. Peacock’s surname. The bridge represents the Cummings Bridge in Ottawa, and symbolizes the path from his original Ottawa home in Vanier to the location of the “Sign of the Red Hat,” the hat-maker’s shop of his great-great-grandfather, James Hay Peacock, the original immigrant from Scotland to Ottawa.
Motto
The phrase reflects the family’s spirit of commitment, perseverance and devotion to duty. It pays tribute to the service during World War II of Mr. Peacock’s parents: J. Clayton Peacock in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and Katherine A. Wayling in the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The stag alludes to the Clan Maxwell and the feathers symbolize that Peacock is a sept of that clan. The brown tie band represents a beaver hat band and alludes to the beaver pelts used by James Hay Peacock in making hats.
Differenced Arms for Grant Seaton Spencer Peacock, son of Mark George Peacock
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Claire Katherine Ann Peacock, daughter of Mark George Peacock
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 25, 2017, in Volume 151, page 1303 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
Melissa Aberin
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual