- 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.
Vere Brabazon Ponsonby
Ottawa, Ontario
Registration of Arms and Supporters
October 15, 2024
Vol. VIII, p. 318
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Gules a chevron between three combs Argent;
The Arms are shown ensigned by the coronet of an earl;
Crest
Three arrows in asterisk points downwards proper barbed and flighted Argent entwined by a serpent Vert and set on a coronet Or;
Supporters
Two lions reguardant proper;
Motto
PRO REGE LEGE GREGE;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. These are the traditional arms of the branch of the Ponsonby family from which descended the earls of Bessborough. The combs possibly refer to a family legend according to which an ancestor was a barber to a king of England.
Crest
This is the traditional crest of the branch of the Ponsonby family from which descended the earls of Bessborough.
Supporters
These are the traditional supporters of the branch of the Ponsonby family from which descended the earls of Bessborough.
Motto
This Latin expression, meaning “For the king, the law, the people,” is the traditional motto of the branch of the Ponsonby family from which descended the earls of Bessborough.
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)
Not available.
Painter
Artist of the College of Arms, London / Artiste du Collège d’armes, Londres
Calligrapher
* Not applicable / Sans objet
Recipient Information
Individual
Governor General
The recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, in 1795. The acquisition of this painting has been sponsored by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada.