The translation I have is "A little by degrees", a slight pun on my two academic degrees.

The crest is symbolic of my area of study -- military history. Being a bit of a self-appointed vexillologist, I have always admired the famed "Bedford Flag", the oldest known complete flag in American history. Given it's military origins, I thought the armoured arm holding a book (instead of a sword) would be a very fitting way to depict a military historian. I had also thought about the motto, "By pen and sword", but since neither are featured on my arms, I rejected that.

The acorns symbolize my ten years in the National Park Service, and the garb my membership in the Clan Cumming. The unicorn can be found on a number of arms for Wilkinsons, and the design of the shield is based on the old Rhodesian arms.

T.