The Viceregal Lion
  1. The Governor General of Canada
Heraldry Today

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.

Blair Keith Churchill

Ottawa, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Alexander George Foley Churchill and Mickaela Dawn O’Foley Churchill
July 15, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 510

Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.


Blazon

Arms

Purpure a lion rampant within a double tressure erablé-counter-erablé Or;

Crest

Issuant from an ancient crown Or, a demi lioness Ermine holding in the dexter paw a bauhinia flower (Bauhinia blakeana) proper;

Motto

IN OMNIBUS HONESTAS;

Flag

A banner of the Arms;

Badge

A sun in splendour Or charged to the sinister with an increscent Purpure;

Differenced Arms for Alexander George Foley Churchill, son of Blair Keith Churchill

The Arms of Blair Keith Churchill debruised of a three-point label Argent; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;

Differenced Arms for Mickaela Dawn O'Foley Churchill, daughter of Blair Keith Churchill

The Arms of Blair Keith Churchill debruised of a heart Purpure on the shoulder of the lion;


Symbolism

Arms

The rampant lion recalls a central element of the historic arms of Churchill as recorded in the Dorsetshire Visitation of 1623. The double tressure with maple leaves is a reminder of the Scottish royal tressure from the arms of Nova Scotia, and Mr. Churchill’s family’s long residence in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Crest

The ancient coronet symbolizes Mr. Churchill’s interest in heraldry and history. The ermine-spotted lioness is in memory of Mr. Churchill’s mother, Audrey Ernestine Burrill. The bauhinia flower (Bauhinia blakeana) is in memory of his father, George Ralph Churchill, who served with the Royal Rifles of Canada during WWII in Hong Kong.

Motto

This Latin sentence means “Nobility resides in everyone”.

Flag

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Badge

The sun in splendour and purple increscent moon represent the male and female spark of divinity.

Differenced Arms for Alexander George Foley Churchill, son of Blair Keith Churchill

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.

Differenced Arms for Mickaela Dawn O'Foley Churchill, daughter of Blair Keith Churchill

The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.


Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 4, 2006, in Volume 140, page 430 of the Canada Gazette.


Artist Information

Creator(s)
Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter
Gordon Macpherson

Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione


Recipient Information

Individual