Arms of Donald Kennedy McDermaid

Blazon

Gules on a fess between in chief a cross-crosslet flanked by two boars’ heads Argent armed Or and in base a like boar’s head flanked by two cross-crosslets Argent, a celestial crown Sable its stars Or between two lymphads Sable, sails unfurled and flagged Gules, all within a bordure Or;

Symbolism

The Canadian Heraldic Authority does not have confirmed symbolism for this emblem. The following comments are hypotheses only. The boars’ heads and cross-crosslets are charges commonly found in the coats of arms of McDermaid families. The lymphads likely allude to the family’s maritime history, since Mr. McDermaid was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, his father worked for the Anchor Cunard Line, his grandfather was a naval officer, and his great-grandfather was a sea captain. The gold border is a Scottish method of differencing, indicating that Mr. McDermaid is the second son of his father.