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

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.

David Alan Byng

Victoria, British Columbia
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badges, with differences to Tyler Alan Byng and David Mackenzie Byng
May 15, 2018
Vol. VII, p. 70

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


Blazon

Arms

Sable two great horned owl heads erased and in base a compass rose Or;

Crest

A demi-Kermode bear proper holding a compass rose and issuant from a coronet of maple leaves Or and Pacific dogwood flowers proper, its rim Sable edged Or;

Motto

AD SPLENDIDA PER ANGUSTA;

Flag

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

Badge

On a compass rose Sable its north point flory its ring Or, a Pacific dogwood flower Argent barbed and seeded Or;

Differenced Arms for Tyler Alan Byng, child of David Alan Byng

The Arms of David Alan Byng debruised of a three-point label Argent; This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;

Badge

On a compass rose Sable its north point flory its ring Or, a great horned owl’s head erased Argent;

Differenced Arms for David Mackenzie Byng, child of David Alan Byng

The Arms of David Alan Byng within a bordure Or;

Badge

On a compass rose Sable its north point flory its ring Or, a bear’s head erased Argent;


Symbolism

Arms

The compass rose refers to Mr. Byng’s love of travel, especially on expeditions to remote parts of the globe, and to his fellowships in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Royal Geographical Society (of the United Kingdom) and the Explorers Club. As an instrument showing direction, it also alludes to his career as a senior public servant in British Columbia. The owl heads represent Mr. Byng’s two sons and refer to the great horned owls that are found near his residence. As symbols of wisdom and knowledge, they allude to ideals cherished by the Byng family. They also refer to his service as Deputy Minister of Education for British Columbia, and to his wife’s career as a teacher.

Crest

The Kermode bear, native to British Columbia, is a symbol of the city of Terrace, in the Skeena Valley of north-western British Columbia, where Mr. Byng’s family were pioneer settlers. Terrace was the birthplace of Mr. Byng and his two sons, and the home town of his wife. The star refers to the North Star and thus to Mr. Byng’s roots in northern Canada. The Pacific dogwood is the floral emblem of British Columbia, and the maple leaf represents Canada.

Motto

This Latin phrase meaning “To splendours through narrow paths” is a variation on Ad augusta per angusta (“To the heights through narrow paths”) with the word splendida as a reference to the motto of British Columbia, Splendor sine occasu (“Splendour without diminishment”).

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.

Differenced Arms for Tyler Alan Byng, child of David Alan Byng

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

Badge

The owl's head is taken from the Arms.

Differenced Arms for David Mackenzie Byng, child of David Alan Byng

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

Badge

The bear's head is taken from the Crest.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 17, 2018, in Volume 152, page 3858 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of David Byng and Bruce Patterson, Deputy Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Robert Grey

Calligrapher
Kathy Feig


Recipient Information

Individual