- 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.
Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms
Calgary, Alberta
Registration of Arms, with differences to Charles Robert Hunter Thoms and Hamish Jameson Thoms
October 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 434
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Differenced Arms of Charles Robert Hunter Thoms, child of Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms
The Arms of Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms debruised of a three-point label Azure;
Differenced Arms for Hamish Jameson Thoms, child of Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms
The Arms of Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms debruised of a canton Sable voided of the field;
Arms
Or a lion rampant Gules overall a chevron Sable, all within a bordure Gules;
Crest
A demi-mountain cat guardant proper holding an escutcheon Gules charged with a unicorn’s head couped Ermine armed and crined Or;
Motto
VIRTUS VINCIT INVIDIAM;
Symbolism
Differenced Arms of Charles Robert Hunter Thoms, child of Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms
The three-point label indicates that he is the heir to his father’s arms.
Differenced Arms for Hamish Jameson Thoms, child of Bernard Hunter Jameson Thoms
The empty square in the upper left of the shield is used in Scottish heraldry to indicate an adopted child.
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. These arms are based on those of Mr. Thoms’ ancestor, Patrick Hunter Thoms of Aberlemno, 15th de jure chief of Clan MacThomas. The border is a Scottish method of differencing.
Crest
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The wild cat is derived from the crest of the chief of Clan MacThomas, of which the Thoms are a sept. The unicorn’s head pays homage to the unicorn holding a shield in the crest of his ancestor, Patrick Hunter Thoms of Aberlemno.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “Virtue overcomes envy.” It is inspired by the Latin motto of the chief of Clan MacThomas, which translates as “With God’s help I will rise above envy.”
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, 26 July 1973.