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.

Alexander Macrae

Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms
March 15, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 150

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


Blazon

Arms

Argent on a fess Azure between in chief two mullets and in base a lion rampant Gules, three beavers couchant Argent, all within a bordure Or;

* The blazon in the Lyon Register does not indicate an attitude for the beavers.

Crest

A hand vambraced proper holding a Lochaber axe bendwise sinister Gules;

Motto

TEIM I BFIÚRTAR LE FADFULANG;

* This is a transcription into Roman lettering of the phrase that appears in Gaelic script in the Lyon Register. The motto was originally DUL I BFIÚTAR FADFULANG. It was amended in the register of the Court of the Lord Lyon in 1967.


Symbolism

Arms

The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The white shield with a blue stripe, two red stars and a red lion are elements often found in Macrae arms. The beavers allude to Mr. Macrae’s Canadian identity. The border is a Scottish form of differencing to indicate that Mr. Macrae is a descendant of a younger son.

Crest

The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. This crest is based on that of the chief of the Scottish Clan Macrae, a forearm grasping a sword.

Motto

The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. This phrase in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, meaning “I go worthily with full patience,” likely echoes the Macrae clan chief’s Latin motto Fortitudine, or “With fortitude.”


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of the Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh.

Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet

Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet


Recipient Information

Individual

The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded in the records of the Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, Scotland, 24 May 1963.