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West Vancouver, British Columbia
Grant of a Crest and Badge
January 25, 1991
Vol. II, p. 72
Arms of George Cuthill WattBlazonArgent an oak tree growing out of a mount in base Vert on a chief Sable an open book proper binding and fore-edges Or between two garbs also Or all within a bordure party per fesse in chief Or and Vert; SymbolismThese Canadian arms are based on a Scottish grant of 1987 to one of Mr. Watt’s first cousins, David Brand Watt III. They feature an oak tree on a green mount, a symbol long associated in Scottish heraldry with people having the surname Watt. In the chief, the book between the wheat sheaves represents Mr. Watt’s grandfather, David Brand Watt I, a schoolmaster, who was the son and grandson of James and John Watt, bakers in Dunfermline, Fife. The border differences these arms from those of David Brand Watt III. |
CrestBlazonA lymphad Azure garnished and with pennons Or flying a sail Argent charged with a martlet Azure; SymbolismThe lymphad and the martlet are taken from the arms of West Vancouver, where Mr. Watt grew up. |
MottoBlazonFIRM FAITH AND BRIGHT HOPE; SymbolismThis phrase is borrowed from a letter sent in 1911 from Mr. Watt’s grandfather David Brand Watt I to his fourth son, his father, John Turner Watt, when John was taking up the duties as an elder in the Presbyterian Church in North Vancouver. |
Badge of George Cuthill WattBlazonOn a roundel per chevron Argent and Vert circled with holly leaves Vert enflamed Or a notarial sealing press counterchanged; SymbolismThe notarial sealing press symbolizes Mr. Watt’s role as a notary. The border of flames refers to Hollyburn Mountain and West Vancouver, where he spent most of his life. Mr. Watt’s father was one of the first postmasters of the community post office also named Hollyburn, in West Vancouver. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on May 4, 1991 in Volume 125, page 1485 of the Canada Gazette.   |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterJoan Ouellette CalligrapherJohn Whitehead Recipient TypeIndividual |