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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.

Recipient Information

Last Name / Institution

The person (or institution) to whom heraldic emblems are granted, registered, confirmed or approved.

Given Name(s)

The first name(s) of an individual to whom heraldic emblems are granted, registered, confirmed or approved.

Recipient Type

Please note that family associations are found under civil institutions.

Organization Type

This does not apply to individuals and is not accessible unless the recipient "civil institution" or "military institution" is selected. An extensive list of specific categories is given on the Advanced Search page.

Province / Territory

The province of residence of the recipient (or the location of the institution’s headquarters) at the time the Letters Patent were issued.

Gender

The selection "n/a" (not applicable) is given to civil and military institutions.

Special Status

Clicking on one of these categories will show the heraldic emblems related to governors general of Canada, lieutenant governors of provinces, commissioners of territories, or prime ministers of Canada.

Letters Patent Information

Register Section

A section for First People’s emblems is included in each volume.

Register Volume

Each volume of the Public Register corresponds to the term of office of a governor general.

E.g.: Documents issued during the tenure of the Governor General Adrienne Clarkson (1999–2005) are entered in Volume IV.

Register Page

Each page corresponds to a different project having led to a grant, registration, confirmation or approval.

Type of Letters Patent

A Grant is the official assignment of a new heraldic emblem.

A Registration is the recording of an emblem previously granted by a recognized heraldic authority of another sovereign country. A registration can also record the inheritance of an emblem.

A Confirmation records that an emblem previously granted may be used by the same recipient under a new legal name. A Confirmation may also record a right to use a particular emblem.

A Supplementary Letter Patent notes additions and corrections to the documents previously recorded in the Public Register.

An Approval assigns emblems for use by the Canadian Armed Forces.

A Devisal is the creation of emblems for foreign institutions that have a clear link with Canada.

Creator(s)

The designer of the original concept of the emblem. In many cases this is one of the heralds at the Canadian Heraldic Authority, although occasionally the design is created by the recipient or a third party.

Painter

This list includes all painters who have illustrated Letters Patent.

Please note that a few of them are listed under different names. Debra MacGarvie is also listed as Debra Parker and Eva Pilar-Cass is also listed as Eva Pilar.

Calligrapher

This list includes all calligraphers who have worked on Letters Patent.

Date of Letters Patent

From

Date of Letters Patent

The date of issuance of the Letters Patent.

Date in the Canada Gazette

From

Canada Gazette

The date of the announcement of the Letters Patent in the Canada Gazette.

Index Armorum

Element

The elements of the Letters Patent may include:

Arms, depicted on a shield shape;

Crest, which may or may not be placed on a helmet with mantling. In most cases a wreath of twisted cloth is found at the base of a crest. Occasionally, other elements are substituted for the helmet and mantling;

Supporters, which are placed on either side of the shield and stand on a base known as a compartment;

Motto, a phrase placed on a scroll;

Flag;

Badge, an emblem distinct from the Arms;

Cadet shield, a modified version of the main arms designed to be used by a descendant or heir of the recipient.

The helmet, mantling and honours insignia cannot be searched in the Register.

Category of the Charge

All of the figures or symbols classified thematically.

Charge

The name of a specific figure or symbol.

Colour of the Charge

The list shows the names of the colours both in the language of blazon and in English.

Attribute

The characteristics of a charge, such as:

• A description of a traditional heraldic attitude or attribute (e.g., rampant, issuant, unguled, etc.);

• A secondary charge, being a small figure held by or charged on a main figure;

• A modifier of a line of division, partition or charge (e.g., wavy, embattled, etc.).

Colour of the Field