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Toronto, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Alexandra Panayiota Nanos and Dimitrios John Nanos
December 20, 2012
Vol. VI, p. 198
Arms of John James NanosBlazonGyronny Azure and Argent a cross and saltire all counterchanged, overall an eight-pointed star Or charged with a like star Gules; SymbolismMr. Nanos is a direct descendent of the Nanos and Sekeris clans in Greece and uses the blue and white colours of Greece as well as the Greek cross and the cross of St. Andrew (who is the patron saint of the Patriarchate of Constantinople). The central gold star takes a shape often used for honours and contains two allusions, of honour and wealth. The first is to Mr. Nanos’s great-great-great-grandfather who was awarded the Gold Medal, known as the Chruseon Ariston, by King Otto of Greece. The second is to the uncle of Mr. Nanos’s great-great-great-grandfather. This uncle was the Treasurer of the Filiki Eteria, a secret society with a twelve-person executive that initiated and funded the 1821 Greek Revolution. The Sekeris family were merchants operating in Greece, Russia and France, and they were the first major family of wealth to support the Revolution. The red star added to the design differences these arms from those of his brother Nikita James Nanos, granted by the Chief Herald of Canada in 2004. |
CrestBlazonIssuant from a coronet erablé Gules a demi double-headed eagle Or; SymbolismThe coronet represents the Canadian branch of the Nanos family. The double-headed eagle alludes to Mr. Nanos’s Greek Orthodox faith and to the origins of the Nanos family in northern Greece and southern Albania. |
MottoBlazonFAITH • EXCELLENCE • HONOUR; SymbolismNot applicable |
Flag of John James NanosBlazonA banner of the Arms; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Badge of John James NanosBlazonTwo swords proper in saltire surmounted by a torteau charged with a griffin’s head erased Or; SymbolismThe swords represent Mr. Nanos’s interest in military history. The griffin, known as a guardian of treasure, symbolizes Mr. Nanos’s role of managing the finances of the family business. |
Differenced Arms for Alexandra Panayiota Nanos, daughter of John James NanosBlazonThe Arms of John James Nanos debruised of a three-point label Gules; this individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
Differenced Arms for Dimitrios John Nanos, son of John James NanosBlazonThe Arms of John James Nanos within a bordure Or; SymbolismThe symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on November 30, 2013 in Volume 147, page 2706 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of Darrel Kennedy, Assiniboine Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority. PainterEva Pilar-Cass CalligrapherDoris Wionzek Recipient TypeIndividual |