The symbolism of the coat of arms is multiple. The predominant colors of the shield are red and white as assigned in Scots Heraldry to the Clan Hamilton referring to Henry Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec from 1782-1785, the Township's namesake. The wavy white bars below the shield represent Lake Ontario. The blue and white circle at the top refers to Rice Lake. The sheaves of grain encircled by fish introduce the main theme being the interaction of an agricultural heritage and landscape with water based recreation. The 6 fish symbolize the six hamlets: Baltimore, Bewdley, Camborne, Cold Springs, Gore's Landing and Harwood.
The crest above the shield consists of the traditional steel helmet of heraldry. The coronet above the helmet is the centuries old emblem of civic government, underlining the Township's status as a municipal corporation. It is set with ten pairs of maple seeds that refer to the ten concessions. Rising out of the coronet is an otter, a creature that interacts between land and water. The collar of hearts on the otter refers to the day on which the Township was named February 14, 1791. The otter's right forepaw holds a red quill pen to celebrate two famous 19th Century Township authors, Catherine Parr Traill and Joseph Scriven.
The compartment on which the supporters stand and the shield rests is composed of a mound of grass set about wavy bars of blue and white representing the fields and meadows, the two Lakes and the streams. On the left, the beaver is borrowed from the personal coat of arms of Sir Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester, Governor General of British North America who ordered the survey of the Township. The horse honors pioneers and pioneer agriculture as well as increasing recreational use. The colors on the beaver and horse are opposite to the historic arms of the Counts of Nassau, since the Township was first set aside in the old district of Nassau, part of the Province of Upper Canada.
The motto is an expression of the Township's history and ongoing character.