Richard Alan White

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.

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Grant of Arms, with differences to Tara Elizabeth Koster, Gregory Alan White, Megan Alexandra Wakeford, Scott Richard White, Andrew Duncan Sills, Catherine Alanna White, and Joseph Henry White
July 20, 2007
Vol. V, p. 162

Arms of Richard Alan White
Arms of Richard Alan White
Differenced Arms for Tara Elizabeth Koster, daughter of Richard Alan White Differenced Arms for Gregory Alan White, son of Richard Alan White Differenced Arms for Megan Alexandra Wakeford, daughter of Richard Alan White Differenced Arms for Scott Richard White, son of Richard Alan White Differenced Arms for Andrew Duncan Sills, stepson of Richard Alan White Differenced Arms for Catherine Alanna White, daughter of Richard Alan White Differenced Arms for Joseph Henry White, son of Richard Alan White
 
Arms of Richard Alan White

Arms of Richard Alan White

Blazon

Argent a tau-staff Gules entwined by a snake Or, on a chief enarched Azure an infinity sign between two trillium flowers Argent seeded Or;

Symbolism

The field of the shield refers to Dr. White’s name. The snake and rod, known as a rod of Moses and a variation on the classical rod of Aesculapius, refers to the medical profession and, through the cruciform termination, to Dr. White’s Christian faith. The trillium flowers indicate his province of residence, Ontario, and the fact that he is one of three brothers. It also represents the Holy Trinity. The infinity sign alludes to Dr. White’s practice of wearing bow ties.

Crest

Blazon

Issuant from a coronet Or of maple leaves Gules and trillium flowers Argent seeded Or, a demi-griffin Argent beaked and membered Or holding a Catherine wheel Azure its rim and hub Argent;

Symbolism

A griffin appeared on the headstone of one of Dr. White’s ancestors in Scotland, and it has been a favourite symbol for Dr. White and his father, signifying the idea of watchfulness. The eight spokes of the Catherine wheel refer to the number of Dr. White’s children. The maple leaves and trillium flowers indicate his Canadian and Ontario roots.

Motto

Blazon

TO STRIVE • TO SEEK • TO FIND;

Symbolism

This is taken from the last line of Lord Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses”.
Differenced Arms for Tara Elizabeth Koster, daughter of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Tara Elizabeth Koster, daughter of Richard Alan White

Blazon

The Arms of Richard Alan White with an apple Or in place of the infinity sign;

Symbolism

The apple alludes to her profession as a teacher as well as to her surname, “coster” meaning a seller of apples.
Differenced Arms for Gregory Alan White, son of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Gregory Alan White, son of Richard Alan White

Blazon

The Arms of Richard Alan White with a wheel Or in place of the infinity sign; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his or her death;

Symbolism

The wheel is indicative of his work in kinesiology.
Differenced Arms for Megan Alexandra Wakeford, daughter of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Megan Alexandra Wakeford, daughter of Richard Alan White

Blazon

The Arms of Richard Alan White with a wake knot between two oak leaves Or in place of the infinity sign and trillium flowers;

Symbolism

The wake knot is a reference to her surname, and the leaves, a symbol of shelter, refer to her work in youth counselling.
Differenced Arms for Scott Richard White, son of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Scott Richard White, son of Richard Alan White

Blazon

The Arms of Richard Alan White with a sun in splendour Or in place of the infinity sign

Symbolism

The sun refers to his love of the outdoors.
Differenced Arms for Andrew Duncan Sills, stepson of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Andrew Duncan Sills, stepson of Richard Alan White

Blazon

Or a tau-staff Gules entwined by a snake Argent surmounting two oars in saltire, on a chief enarched Azure a thistle Or between two trillium flowers Argent seeded Or;

Symbolism

The yellow background colour is an additional form of differencing, the oars in an X-shape refer to his love of rowing, and the thistle is a mark of Scottish heritage.
Differenced Arms for Catherine Alanna White, daughter of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Catherine Alanna White, daughter of Richard Alan White

Blazon

The Arms of Richard Alan White with a snowflake Argent in place of the infinity sign;

Symbolism

The snowflake marks her position as the third daughter.
Differenced Arms for Joseph Henry White, son of Richard Alan White

Differenced Arms for Joseph Henry White, son of Richard Alan White

Blazon

The Arms of Richard Alan White with the Arms with a martlet Or in place of the infinity sign;

Symbolism

The martlet marks his position as the fourth son.
 

Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the letters patent was made on March 8, 2008 in Volume 142, page 550 of the Canada Gazette.

Letters patent granting heraldic emblems to Richard Alan White

Additional Information

Creator(s)

Original concept of Alan White, David Rumball, and Bruce Patterson, Saguenay Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

Painter

David Farrar

Calligrapher

Shirley Mangione

Recipient Type

Individual