City of Hamilton

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.

Hamilton, Ontario Cambodia
Grant of Arms, Supporters and Flag
July 15, 2003
Vol. IV, p. 294

Arms of the City of Hamilton
Arms of the City of Hamilton
Flag of the City of Hamilton
 
Arms of the City of Hamilton

Arms of the City of Hamilton

Blazon

Or a hurt charged with a cinquefoil Or and encircled by a chain of six large links each joined to the next by three small links Azure;

Symbolism

The cinquefoil is taken from the arms of the Chief of Clan Hamilton, and it thus refers to the City's namesake. The chain represents the steel industry, and the six large links refer to the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, which was comprised of the six municipalities that were brought together to form the new City (the cities of Hamilton and Stoney Creek, the towns of Ancaster, Dundas, and Flamborough and the Township of Glanbrook). Blue and gold have long been the City's official colours.

Crest

Blazon

Issuant from a mural coronet its upper rim set with towers and garbs Or, a maple leaf each lobe parted Or and Gules;

Symbolism

The coronet indicates that Hamilton is a municipality with both urban and rural components, and the maple leaf indicates that it is a Canadian community. This maple leaf has been made particular to Hamilton through its distinctive colouring.

Motto

Blazon

TOGETHER ASPIRE - TOGETHER ACHIEVE;

Symbolism

A phrase suggested by the City Council to convey the idea of citizens working together.

Supporters

Blazon

Dexter a stag Or sinister a tiger Or striped Sable each gorged with a Loyalist civil coronet Azure and standing on a grassy mound Vert set on limestone proper above barry wavy Argent Azure and Argent;

Symbolism

The stag represents a link with the arms of the old City and the rural part of the City, the Dundas Valley. The tiger refers to "Tiger Town", a sobriquet by which the City has been long known. The Loyalist coronets refer to the Loyalists who were founders of the earliest communities in what became the City. The grass symbolizes the lands of the City with the limestone and stylized water representing two of the most predominant geographic features of its setting, the Niagara Escarpment and Hamilton Harbour.

Flag of the City of Hamilton

Flag of the City of Hamilton

Blazon

Or on a Canadian pale Azure a cinquefoil encircled by a chain as in the Arms Or;

Symbolism

The City's flag is modelled on the national flag with the cinquefoil and chain taken from the arms

 

Background

Canada Gazette Information

The announcement of the letters patent was made on December 20, 2003 in Volume 137, page 3982 of the Canada Gazette.

Letters patent granting heraldic emblems to the City of Hamilton

Additional Information

Creator(s)

Original concept of Kevin Greaves and Ralph Spence, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority

Painter

Gordon Macpherson

Calligrapher

Suzzann Wright

Recipient Type

Civil Institution
Regional, Municipal etc Government