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.
Toronto, Ontario
Registration of Arms, Supporters and Badge
April 15, 2005
Vol. IV, p. 480
Arms of the Upper Canada CollegeBlazonAzure a sword in saltire with a fouled anchor surmounted by a calumet bowl upwards all enfiling a wreath of olive ensigned by the Royal Crown Or, on a chief embattled Gules fimbriated Or two white-tailed deer’s heads (Odocoileus virginius) caboshed Or; SymbolismThe device of the crown, calumet, sword, anchor and wreath is taken from the deputed great seal for the province of Upper Canada, designed by John Graves Simcoe in 1792. It appeared within the 1889 College emblem (known at the College as “Scadding’s Device”), created by Henry Scadding, a master who had been the first student enrolled at the College and the first Head Boy. The two deer’s heads refer to the crest of the College’s founder, Lord Seaton, as well as to the assumed arms of John Strachan, who was president of the Board for the General Superintendence of Education, the College’s first governing body. The red and the embattled chief are taken from Lord Seaton’s arms. Blue is the college colour. |
CrestBlazonThe Royal Crown between two branches of palm proper; SymbolismThis is derived from an emblem of the College in use in various forms since 1833. The palm branches represent excellence in academics and athletics, while the Royal Crown signifies the College’s longstanding connection with the Royal Family. |
MottoBlazonPALMAM QUI MERUIT FERAT; SymbolismUsed as the College’s motto since 1833, this Latin phrase means “Let he who merited the palm bear it” and encapsulates the College’s commitment to excellence and achievement. It also relates to the palm branches in the crest and the badge. |
SupportersBlazonDexter a schoolmaster habited and gowned proper with a hood edged Gules lined Argent holding in the dexter hand a closed book proper bound Gules, sinister a student habited as a cricketer wearing the uniform blazer and cap of Upper Canada College resting the sinister hand on a cricket bat, both standing on a grassy mount scattered with trillium plants all proper; SymbolismThe master, attired in the manner common at the College during the 19th century, represents academic accomplishment. The student, a cricketer wearing a College uniform of the same date, represents athletic achievement. Cricket is the sport that has been played for the longest period of time at the College. The trillium flowers in the compartment denote the College’s location in Ontario. |
Badge of the Upper Canada CollegeBlazonAbove the numbers 1829 Or, the Royal Crown all within two branches of palm proper their stems tied in base within a riband Or; SymbolismThis is based on the 1931 version of the emblem of the College, which includes the 1829 foundation date. |
BackgroundCanada Gazette InformationThe announcement of the letters patent was made on June 11, 2005 in Volume 139, page 2035 of the Canada Gazette.  |
Additional InformationCreator(s)Original concept of the College of Arms, London, England, and Vernon Mould. PainterNot available CalligrapherNot applicable Recipient TypeCivil Institution
Other InformationThe recipient’s emblems were originally recorded at the College of Arms, London, England, 4 January 1985. |