- 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.
Leonard Hanson Nicholson
Woodlawn, Ontario
Registration of Arms
October 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 441
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Or on a fess cotised Azure between three eagles’ heads erased Sable a bison’s head caboshed proper between a Maltese cross Argent and a fleur-de-lis Or;
*In the painting produced by the College of Arms, the Arms are depicted with the addition of a chief of the arms of the Grand Priory of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, a privilege bestowed on Bailiffs Grand Cross of the Order. In addition, the edges of the Maltese cross behind the shield should be black, not gold, representing the Badge of the Order.
Crest
An eagle’s head erased Sable beaked Or charged with a stirrup Argent and in front of two lances in saltire proper each flying a pennon per fess Gules and Argent;
Motto
DISCIPLINE BY EXAMPLE;
Symbolism
Arms
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The three eagles’ heads on a yellow background are likely taken from the arms of the chief of the Scottish clan Nicolson. The bison’s head is a symbol of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), for which Mr. Nicholson was the tenth Commissioner in the 1950s. The Maltese cross indicates his involvement with the Order of St. John. The fleur-de-lis is the symbol of the scouting movement and indicates that Mr. Nicholson served as Deputy Chief Scout of Canada.
Crest
The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The lances and stirrup allude to Mr. Nicholson’s career with the RCMP. The eagle’s head is likely inspired by the eagles in the arms of the chief of Clan Nicolson.
Motto
DISCIPLINE BY EXAMPLE.
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, 6 September 1973.