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.

Bruce William McDonald

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badge, with differences to William Charles Stuart McDonald and James Malcolm Bruce McDonald
November 10, 2003
Vol. IV, p. 329

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

Blazon

Arms

Quarterly Argent and Or a cross Azure between in the first quarter a lion rampant Gules, in the second a dexter hand vambraced fesswise Gules holding a cross-crosslet fitché Sable, in the third a lymphad oars in action sails furled Sable flagged Gules, and in the fourth a salmon naiant Gules;

Crest

A demi lion Gules holding in the dexter paw a cross-crosslet fitché Sable;

Motto

(in Scots Gaelic)

Flag

A standard of two points, the Arms in hoist, the fly per fess Argent and Azure charged with the Badge, the Crest, and a sprig of common heather (Calluna vulgaris) proper, separated by two bends Argent inscribed with the Motto;

Flag

Quarterly Argent and Or a cross Azure;

Badge

A lymphad oars in action Sable flagged Gules, its sail quarterly Argent and Or a cross Azure;

Differenced Arms for William Charles Stuart McDonald, son of Bruce William McDonald

The Arms of Bruce William McDonald debruised of a three-point label Argent; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;

Differenced Arms for James Malcolm Bruce McDonald, son of Bruce William McDonald

The Arms of Bruce William McDonald within a bordure Or;

Symbolism

Arms

All of the elements on the shield, except the large blue cross, which symbolizes Mr. McDonald’s Christian faith, replicate the arms of MacDonald of Sleat, the Chief of Clan Donald of Sleat, to which lan Mr. McDonald belongs. The slight modifications in colour to the original arms make them more distinctive as personal arms, and distinguish his arms from the Chief’s.

Crest

The lion and cross are derived from the arms.

Motto

This phrase is the Scots Gaelic equivalent of “On waves and on land”. The motto was chosen as a variation on the motto of the Clan Chief of MacDonald of Sleat, “Per mare, per terras.” Creating such a variation is a common feature of a clansman’s motto with respect to the Chief’s.