- 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 Alexander Douglas McCurdy
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Registration of Arms
March 15, 2019
Vol. VII, p. 167
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Sable a quarter Argent, overall a sword in bend Or enfiling on its point an antique crown Gules, all between a martlet volant in chief and a pheon fesswise in base Argent;
Crest
A dexter hand proper grasping a pheon fesswise Argent;
Motto
PRIMUS IN AERE;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The black field, martlet, and sword enfiling a crown are elements found in other McCurdy arms. The white pheon possibly evokes the Silver Dart, the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to fly in Canada, of which Mr. McCurdy was the principal designer and pilot.
Crest
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The white pheon possibly evokes the Silver Dart, the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to fly in Canada, of which Mr. McCurdy was the principal designer and pilot.
Motto
This Latin phrase meaning “First in the air” evokes the exploits of Mr. McCurdy as an aviation pioneer.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 23, 2019, in Volume 153, page 1083 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Not available.
Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Individual
Lieutenant-Governor
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded in the records of the Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, Scotland, 10 August 1952.