- 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.
John Richard Charles Sweeney
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms
August 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 410
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or three boars passant in pale Sable between two flaunches Vert, each charged with an antique crown Or, overall a three-point label Gules;
Crest
A demi-griffin Vert holding a battle-axe proper;
Motto
CLAN NA d’TUA ABU;
Symbolism
Arms
Gold, green and the black boars are common features in the arms of individuals bearing the Irish surname Sweeney. The label indicates that Mr. Sweeney is his father’s heir.
Crest
A battle-axe is a common feature in the crests of individuals bearing the Irish surname Sweeney.
Motto
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. This Irish phrase means “Clan of the battle-axe.” It may allude to the fact that the Mac Sweeneys were part of an elite mercenary warrior family whose preferred weapon was the two-headed Lochaber axe.
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)
Concept of the Court of the Lord Lyon, Edinburgh, based on an original design by the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, Dublin (1961).
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, 31 May 1971.