- 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.
Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
Montmagny, Quebec
Grant of Arms and Flag, with differences to Colin Maximilien Lavergne, Hugues Karl Auguste Lavergne and Mélisande Eugénie-Rose Constance Lavergne
November 15, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 227
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Quarterly, 1st Azure a cygnet wings addorsed Argent beaked and legged Or, its dexter leg raised, 2nd and 3rd Argent three bars wavy Azure, 4th Azure;
Crest
A demi-swan displayed proper holding in its beak an alder leaf and issuant from a circlet of trident heads Or;
Motto
PLUS QU’HIER;
Flag
A pennant of two points Azure semé of trident heads Or, a cygnet as in the Arms;
Differenced Arms for Colin Maximilien Lavergne, child of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
The Arms of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne debruised of a three-point label Or during his father’s lifetime; This individual will ultimately inherit the Arms;
Differenced Arms for Hugues Karl Auguste Lavergne, child of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
The Arms of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne within a bordure Or;
Differenced Arms for Mélisande Eugénie-Rose Constance Lavergne, child of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
The Arms of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne within a bordure Argent;
Symbolism
Arms
Young and awkward in the shield, mature and elegant in the Crest, the swan alludes to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, a fairy tale which reminds Mr. Lavergne that anyone can reach their full potential. He also considers this bird a symbol of self-control: always appearing calm on the surface, while constantly paddling its feet beneath the water. The wavy blue stripes represent Mr. Lavergne’s love for the sea and for water sports such as sailing and diving. Their number in each quadrant honours his three children. Devoid of any charges, the blue field evokes openness to the world and the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity for learning and discovery.
Crest
The swan repeats the symbolism of the Arms. The trident emphasizes Mr. Lavergne’s role in the Royal Canadian Navy as a training officer, as well as his three children’s experience as sea cadets. The alder leaf—vergne being one of its names in French—refers to the Lavergne surname.
Motto
A French phrase meaning “More than yesterday,” this family maxim is an encouragement to continuously strive for improvement.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Colin Maximilien Lavergne, child of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Hugues Karl Auguste Lavergne, child of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Mélisande Eugénie-Rose Constance Lavergne, child of Stéphane Joseph Fernand Lavergne
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 January 1, 1900, in Volume 0, page 0 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Stéphane Lavergne, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Kathy Feig
Recipient Information
Individual