The elements of the shield and crest are largely inspired by the armiger’s American nationality, residence in the Dominican Republic, and Christian faith grounded in the Presbyterian tradition. The flags of the United States and Dominican Republic share a red, white, and blue colour scheme. While the red and white stripes in the flanks evoke the flag of the United States, the alternating blue and partially red quarters around the saltire were inspired by the blue and red quarters of the Dominican flag. The silver saltire on a blue field, also called the St. Andrew’s Cross, is the flag of Scotland, where Presbyterianism originated with John Knox in the 16th century. The crossed keys signify service to the church and allude to Christ’s commitment of the keys to the apostles in Matthew 16:19.

The crest depicts a cock standing upon a book, but more specifically a Bible, with an oak branch with three acorns in its beak. The cock’s position upon the book signifies the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and learning as the foundation for the good life, especially the divine wisdom to be learned from Scripture. The cock is an ancient symbol of Christianity’s call to the world to repent in anticipation of the coming of Christ. It also signifies the armiger’s interest in agriculture and animal husbandry. The oak branch and acorns stand for the armiger’s children and his hope that the family will flourish and grow in their adopted country, the Dominican Republic.

The motto, "To Live Is Christ" comes from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians (1:21).