- 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.
The County of Bruce
Walkerton, Ontario
Registration of Arms
October 20, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 215
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or a sprig of three maple leaves Vert surmounted by a saltire Gules, on a chief Argent dexter a lion rampant Azure sinister a cross dimidiated at the palar line Gules;
The Arms are ensigned by a coronet of eight points Vert alternating with garbs, its rim charged with eight maple leaves bendwise Or;
Motto
IN DEO IMPERIUM SED POPULUS ADMINISTRAT;
Symbolism
Arms
This design merges the arms of Ontario with those of the county’s namesake, James Bruce, Earl of Elgin, Governor General of the Province of Canada. Lord Elgin’s arms were gold with a red saltire and a blue lion, while the sprig of maple and the red cross are from the provincial arms.
The coronet of points and garbs of wheat was used in Scottish heraldry to denote a county, with maple leaves as a Canadian reference.
Motto
This Latin phrase is commonly translated as “Administration by the people, but under the authority of God.”
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 Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, Lord Lyon King of Arms.
Painter
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Government
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded in the records of the Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, Scotland, 12 January 1965.