- The Governor General of Canada
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.
John Ross McLean
Bracebridge, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badge, with differences to Meaghan Elizabeth McLean and Geoffrey Spencer McLean
May 15, 2017
Vol. VI, p. 723
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per chevron Vert and Argent three bars wavy Azure surmounted by a seahorse Argent crined and finned Or gorged with a pallium proper;
Crest
Issuant from a coronet of escallops Or, the rim Argent charged with Maltese crosses Vert and maple leaves Gules, a tower proper;
Motto
SERVICE MINE HONOUR;
Flag
A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Argent charged with the Crest between two representations of the Badge, all separated by two bends sinister Azure inscribed with the Motto in letters Argent;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
A green sea turtle tergiant Vert charged with a koru Or;
Differenced Arms for Meghan Elizabeth McLean, daughter of John Ross McLean
The Arms of John Ross McLean debruised of a three-point label Or during her father’s lifetime; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Differenced Arms for Geoffrey Spencer McLean, son of John Ross McLean
The Arms of John Ross McLean within a bordure Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The green evokes the land and the blue and white waves the ocean, alluding to the fact that Mr. McLean has lived or worked on almost every continent. The wavy lines represent the “seven seas” upon which he has sailed. The chevron division alludes to a roof line, acknowledging Mr. McLean’s passion for architecture and the homes which he has designed and built. The seahorse symbolizes Mr. McLean’s interest in ocean life and brings together in one symbol the two sports (track and swimming) in which he has competed internationally. The pallium, which is the main heraldic charge on the arms of the Diocese of Canterbury in England, signifies the deep ties Mr. McLean has with the diocese and with the Anglican Communion as a whole. The pallium reminds him, as a student of religion, of his aspiration to serve.
Crest
The tower is from the crest of the Maclean clan, of which Mr. McLean is a member. The shell is a symbol of pilgrimage, honouring his ancestors who went to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. The Maltese crosses represent the principles of his work in hospice and palliative care: dignity, caring and respect. The maple leaves signify the two times Mr. Mclean wore a uniform representing his country in international games.
Motto
This phrase signifies Mr. McLean’s many years of charitable work in hospice and palliative care and answers the motto of his clan chief, “Virtue mine honour”.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The green sea turtle reminds Mr. McLean of swimming in the Pacific Ocean with his wife and daughter, the magic of coming upon a pod of turtles in the wild, and of the grace and gentleness they possess. The koru represents the occasion when Mr. McLean and his son were made honorary iwi (members) of a Maori tribe in New Zealand.
Differenced Arms for Meghan Elizabeth McLean, daughter of John Ross McLean
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Geoffrey Spencer McLean, son of John Ross McLean
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 31, 2018, in Volume 152, page 895 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of John Ross McLean, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Robert Grey
Calligrapher
Doris Wionzek
Recipient Information
Individual