- 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.
Ian Douglas Macpherson
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Registration of Arms
June 20, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 389
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a lymphad sails furled oars in action Or, flagged Argent with a saltire Azure, the masthead pennon Gules, on a chief Or an ivy leaf Vert between a hand couped fesswise grasping a dagger and a cross-crosslet fitché, all within a bordure engrailed per pale Gules and Ermine;
Crest
A demi-wildcat guardant proper holding an ivy leaf Vert;
Motto
NOT THIS BUT A GLOVE;
Symbolism
Arms
The colours, the ship, the hand holding the dagger, and the cross are taken from the arms of the chief of the Clan Macpherson. The ship, derived from the arms of the Lords of the Isles, is found in many coats of arms from the western Highlands of Scotland. The flags on the ship allude to that of Nova Scotia, where Mr. Macpherson’s great-grandfather was born. The cross is an ecclesiastical reference, as the name Macpherson is derived from the Scots Gaelic phrase for “son of the parson.” The hand and dagger indicate the role of the Clan Macpherson in overthrowing the Cummings of Badenoch family, who were enemies of King Robert I of Scotland at the beginning of the 14th century. The ivy leaf is the plant badge of the Clan Gordon and references the second name of Mr. Macpherson’s great-grandfather. The engrailed red and ermine border is a Scottish method of differencing indicating that Mr. Macpherson is descended from a cadet line.
Crest
The wildcat is used as a crest by most Macpherson armigers. The ivy leaf is taken from the Arms.
Motto
This phrase is a variation on the motto of the Macpherson Clan Chief, “Touch not the cat but a glove.” Here, the glove refers to the soft parts of the paw of the cat. When it assumes a war-like stance, the paw becomes spread or “ungloved,” revealing the dangerous claws. It is a warning to those who engage in battle with the Macpherson clan.
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, 6 November 1969.