A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bisson family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5913 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au chev. d'azur, acc. de trois los. de gu; au chef échiq. de sa. et d'arg. de trois tires, chacune de sept points.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Bisson Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Bisson arms are recorded
The Bisson arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bisson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Normandie.
Origin & History of the Bisson Family in France
The surname Bisson finds its deep roots in the northern regions of France, particularly within the historic province of Normandy. The name is derived from the Old French word *bisson*, which historically referred to a thicket, a bush, or a dense patch of woodland. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name likely lived near a prominent cluster of trees or a specific wooded landmark that served as a local identifier for their home. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the region, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in Normandy by 1663. During this era, families in rural Normandy were often closely tied to the land, and names frequently evolved from the natural features of the landscape that defined their daily lives. As the family grew and moved throughout the province, the name became a permanent marker of their ancestral connection to the rugged and fertile terrain of northern France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, on a mount vert a holly-bush ppr., a bordure sa. entoyre of eight mullets of six points pierced of the first”
The body that granted and recorded arms in Jersey in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in France when the Bisson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Jersey
Arms in the Channel Islands were granted and recorded by the College of Arms in London, under the same law of arms as England. They could be used by all legitimate descendants of the original owner: the eldest son kept the original design, and other family members used the same shield without registering a version of their own.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms for Jersey and the other Channel Islands since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Jersey.
Origin & History of the Bisson Family in Jersey
The Bisson family name has deep roots in the island of Jersey, where it has been established for many centuries. The name is believed to originate from the Old French word "bisson," which historically referred to a thicket or a bushy area of land. This suggests that the earliest members of the family likely lived near a prominent patch of woodland or dense shrubbery on the island. By the time the family was well-documented in the late 19th century, they were already an integral part of Jersey’s unique social fabric. The Bissons were often involved in the island’s traditional industries, such as farming and maritime trade, which helped them maintain a strong presence in local parishes. Over generations, the family became deeply connected to the distinct culture of the Channel Islands, helping to shape the history of the region through their steady participation in community and economic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
buisson
A thicket, bush, or small wooded area.
This name
BissonA topographic name for someone who lived near a thicket or a bush.
also spelled
Bysson
Bison
Bissonne
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France. 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
