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Canadian Civic Heraldry

HAMILTON

Province : Ontario
Additions : 2001 Stoney Creek

Origin/meaning :
The arms were officially granted on July 15, 2003.

The cinquefoil is taken from the arms of the Chief of Clan Hamilton, and it thus refers to the City's namesake. The chain represents the steel industry, and the six large links refer to the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, which was comprised of the six municipalities that were brought together to form the new City (the cities of Hamilton and Stoney Creek, the towns of Ancaster, Dundas, and Flamborough and the Township of Glanbrook). Blue and gold have long been the City's official colours.

The coronet indicates that Hamilton is a municipality with both urban and rural components, and the maple leaf indicates that it is a Canadian community. This maple leaf has been made particular to Hamilton through its distinctive colouring.

The stag represents a link with the arms of the old City and the rural part of the City, the Dundas Valley. The tiger refers to "Tiger Town", a sobriquet by which the City has been long known. The Loyalist coronets refer to the Loyalists who were founders of the earliest communities in what became the City. The grass symbolizes the lands of the City with the limestone and stylized water representing two of the most predominant geographic features of its setting, the Niagara Escarpment and Hamilton Harbour.

The motto was suggested by the City Council to convey the idea of citizens working together.

The former arms are shown below :

I have no information on the meaning or origin of these arms. Any information is welcome !

Literature : Information provided by the City of Hamilton/Region of Hamilton-Wentworth; new arms provided by Kieran Boyle, Canada.

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