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Brantford, Ontario
Grant of Arms
March 15, 2023
Vol. VIII, p. 159
Arms of Edward Melbourne SmithBlazonAzure a lymphad oars in action Or its sail unfurled Argent charged with an anvil Sable, pennon and flags Gules, on a chief Or a field gun Sable between a cross-crosslet fitché and a hand fesswise couped holding a dagger Gules; SymbolismThe ship, the cross, and the hand with the dagger are symbols traditionally found in coats of arms of Macpherson families, to which Mr. Smith is connected as a former chairman of the Canadian Branch of the Clan Macpherson Association. The anvil, a blacksmith’s tool, alludes to the name Smith, one of the families associated with the Clan Macpherson. Blue and gold are the main colours in the arms of the chief of the Clan Macpherson. They are also found in the badge of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in which Mr. Smith served, which is represented here by the field gun. |
CrestBlazonA demi-wildcat guardant grasping in the dexter paw a sword bendwise sinister proper hilted Or and in the sinister paw a cogwheel Azure, all issuant from a circlet of trilliums flanking a thistle proper; SymbolismA wildcat is frequently found in crests of families associated with the Clan Macpherson. The wildcat holding a sword also alludes to a similar figure found in the emblem of the Guardian of Clan Macpherson award granted to Mr. Smith for his support of the Clan Macpherson Museum. The cogwheel represents his work in the engineering industry. The thistle alludes to the fact that his wife, Irene Macdonald Thompson, was born in Scotland, and the trilliums signify his four children, Alexander, Abbey, Terry, and Susan, all of whom were born in Ontario. |
MottoBlazonTOUCH NOT THE CAT; SymbolismThis phrase is an adaptation of “Touch not the cat bot a glove,” the motto of the chief of the Clan Macpherson, meaning “Do not touch the cat when its claws are out.” Here, the glove refers to the soft parts of the paw of the cat. When it assumes a war-like stance, the paw becomes spread or “ungloved,” revealing the dangerous claws. It is a warning to those who engage in battle with the Clan Macpherson. |
MottoBlazonALLEGIANCE • SERVICE • ALLÉGEANCE; SymbolismThese English and French words, meaning “Allegiance, service, allegiance,” represent the service and allegiance observed by Mr. Smith throughout his life, be it to his sovereign, country, family, regiment, clan or friends. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationSince 2023, grants, registrations and approvals of heraldic emblems are no longer announced in the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterIlona Jurkiewicz CalligrapherYolande Lessard Recipient TypeIndividual |