- 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 Gregory McKinnon
Shelby, Michigan, United States of America
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge
April 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 173
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent a lozenge surmounting four fountain pen nibs in saltire Sable, on a chief Vert three bezants;
Crest
A bald eagle proper its body and wings elevated and addorsed Sable holding a Celtic cross Vert, standing on a rock proper;
Motto
BOLD AND WISE;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Badge
Three candles enflamed conjoined in pairle reversed surmounted by three Scots pine boughs conjoined in pairle each charged with a St. John’s wort flower all proper;
Symbolism
Arms
The black diamond, a heraldic representation for coal, honours three generations of Mr. McKinnon’s ancestors who were coal miners in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. The pen nibs symbolize his career in teaching and his genealogical research. Green is a symbol of hope and new departures, alluding both to the colour of the arms of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, of which Glace Bay is a part, and to his love of the great outdoors. The discs refer to hockey pucks, and more generally to all devices used in sports, Mr. McKinnon having been a coach and a sports teacher.
Crest
A symbol of both Cape Breton and the United States, the bald eagle represents fortitude and freedom. The rock on which it stands refers to Cape Breton, the family’s home in Canada. The Celtic cross honours Mr. McKinnon’s Scottish ancestors.
Motto
This phrase alludes to the motto of the chief of Clan MacKinnon, Audentes fortuna juvat ("Fortune favours the bold"). It expresses Mr. McKinnon’s aspiration in life and his objective as a teacher for his students to be courageous in their dreams and intelligent as a result of their education.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The Scots pine and St. John’s wort flower are the plant badges of the Clan MacKinnon, and they honour Mr. McKinnon’s paternal line. The candles symbolize education and learning.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on December 7, 2019, in Volume 153, page 4267 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Samy Khalid, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Robert S. Bengry
Calligrapher
Luc Saucier
Recipient Information
Individual