- 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.
William Anderson Wigton McColgan
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms
December 15, 2025
Vol. VIII, p. 458
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Azure a lion rampant Or between in chief two thistles slipped and in base a pheon Argent, all within a bordure Or;
Crest
A stag’s head proper attired gorged of a collar Or transfixed through the neck by a spear bendwise proper;
Motto
IN SUBLIME LEVARE;
Symbolism
Arms
White arrowheads and a yellow lion on a blue background are common to the arms of individuals bearing the surname McColgan. The thistles represent Mr. McColgan’s Scottish homeland. The yellow border is a Scottish method of differencing.
Crest
A stag’s head pierced by a spear is commonly found in the crests of individuals bearing the surname McColgan. The collar is a mark of difference, and its colour echoes that of the border on the shield.
Motto
This Latin phrase means “To soar into the sublime.”
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, 2 April 1974.