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.
Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Quebec
Grant of Arms and Supporters
December 15, 2006
Vol. V, p. 94
Arms of Le Regroupement des Bournival d’AmériqueBlazonVair on a chief Gules five ears of wheat Or; SymbolismThe shield is adorned in vair, a medieval fur derived from squirrel pelts and stylized in heraldry with an alternating blue and white pattern representing the back and belly. The upper third of the shield is red. These two elements, the vair and the red chief, make up the armorial bearings associated with the Bournival family, known since at least the 13th century. These armorial bearings are differenced for the Regroupement des Bournival by the addition of yellow heads of wheat in the chief. The wheat symbolizes farming and agriculture in general, the profession of many Bournivals since their arrival in New France. There are five heads of wheat to represent the five sons of Jean-Baptiste Bournival. These five were the fourth generation of the family in New France, and from them all members of the Bournival family in North America descend. |
CrestBlazonA snowy owl close grasping in its dexter talons two blue flag flowers proper; SymbolismThe snowy owl and the iris (blue flag flower) are symbols of Quebec. |
MottoBlazonTÉNACITÉ • INTÉGRITÉ • CORDIALITÉ; SymbolismMeaning “Persistence, integrity, cordiality”, The first word, ténacité (persistence), refers to the family members' skill as farmers; the second word, intégrité (integrity), refers to the family’s reputation as merchants; and the third word, cordialité (cordiality), refers to a trait shared by all members of the Bournival family. |
SupportersBlazonTwo swallows Azure and Argent each gorged of a collar of bezants, standing on a mound Vert set with ears of wheat Or; SymbolismThe swallows represent travel and trade, two concepts closely linked in New France. Though merchants did not always travel themselves, their futures and livelihoods very often depended on the movement of produce grown nearby. Merchants and farmers would also work for part of the year in New England and send their earnings to their families in Quebec. The birds convey the idea of travel and perpetually renewed activities. Their collars consist of small, yellow, juxtaposed roundels, representing the coins used in the past. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on March 17, 2007 in Volume 141, page 588 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Claire Boudreau, Saint-Laurent Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterDebra MacGarvie CalligrapherShirley Mangione Recipient TypeCivil Institution
|