Engraver John Henry Walker designed an original coat of arms for Bytown and later one for the City of Ottawa in the 1850s.

In 1954, the Duke of Norfolk, acting in his capacity as Earl Marshal, issued letters patent granting arms to the city of Ottawa.
 The city formally declared the use of the arms in force as of 1 January of the following year.

Upon amalgamation of the city of Ottawa with surrounding municipalities in 2001, the new City Council requested that the arms be reissued to the newly formed municipality.
In March of that year, the Canadian Heraldic Authority issued a new grant of arms.
The new arms are exactly the same as the old.
Engraver John Henry Walker designed an original coat of arms for Bytown and later one for the City of Ottawa in the 1850s.
In 1954, the Duke of Norfolk, acting in his capacity as Earl Marshal, issued letters patent granting arms to the city of Ottawa.  The city formally declared the use of the arms in force as of 1 January of the following year.
Upon amalgamation of the city of Ottawa with surrounding municipalities in 2001, the new City Council requested that the arms be reissued to the newly formed municipality. In March of that year, the Canadian Heraldic Authority issued a new grant of arms. The new arms are exactly the same as the old.
Coat of arms of Ottawa