- 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.
Fabian O'Dea
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Registration of Arms
March 15, 2024
Vol. VIII, p. 265
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Vert on a fess wavy Argent between in chief a fouled anchor surmounted by a balance and in base a sun rising Or, two barrulets wavy Vert;
Crest
A caribou statant erect proper holding in its mouth a trefoil Vert and supporting between the forelegs a fasces palewise Or;
Motto
CONSTANS;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The balance represents His Honour’s profession as a lawyer. The anchor and the three wavy stripes evoke his rank as a Commander in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. The rising sun is likely a pun on the name O’Dea, conveying the idea of the “break o’ day” when the sun rises.
Crest
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The trefoil likely alludes to His Honour’s Irish heritage. The fasces is a symbol of civil authority in classical Rome and constitutes another reference to his legal profession. The caribou is a symbol of his home province of Newfoundland.
Motto
This Latin word means “Steadfast.”
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 College of Arms, London.
Painter
Artist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Individual
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 1 June 1967.