- 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.
Patrick Kevin O'Neal
Bushnell, Illinois, United States of America
Grant of Arms, Flags and Badge
April 15, 2022
Vol. VIII, p. 81
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or a hand Gules, in the dexter canton a mullet of eight points, a base wavy Azure charged with three barrulets wavy Argent;
Motto
DEXTRA DOMINI EXCELSA;
Flag
A banner of the Arms;
Flag
A pennant of three points Or charged with a mullet of eight points environed by a salmon leaping Azure;
Badge
A salmon leaping engoulant a hazelnut Or within three concentric annulets Sable;
Flag
A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Argent charged with an ecclesiastical hat with two tassels Sable and two representations of the Badge separated by two bends sinister Argent edged and inscribed with the Motto in letters Sable;
Symbolism
Arms
This design is inspired by the arms of numerous members of Irish O’Neill families. The red hand refers to an ancient Irish legend according to which, in the race to reach Ulster first and thus gain its crown, an O’Neill warrior cut off his hand and threw it on the shore to outstrip his competitors. The eight-pointed star, as well as the colour blue, are frequently associated with the Virgin Mary. The wavy stripes symbolize the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. The three white stripes further represent the Holy Trinity and the three great North American rivers in Fr. O’Neal’s life and career: the Saint Lawrence, the Mississippi and the Illinois.
Motto
This Latin phrase, signifying “The right hand of the Lord is exalted,” is taken from the Bible (Psalm 118:16) and refers to Fr. O’Neal’s faith as a Roman Catholic priest. Furthermore, it also alludes to the O’Neill legend of the red hand of Ulster.
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 salmon and the hazelnut allude to the Irish Salmon of Knowledge found in many O’Neill coats of arms. They represent Fr. O’Neal’s career in teaching, both at the high school and college levels. The black rings are a reference to the Grianan of Aileach, an ancient Irish hill fort in county Donegal, Ireland. Said to have been built by the Northern Uí Néills, it pays homage to Fr. O’Neal’s ancestors.
Flag
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 October 29, 2022, in Volume 156, page 5123 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Patrick O’Neal and Alix Chartrand, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Palina Klimava
Calligrapher
Yolande Lessard
Recipient Information
Individual