A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boch family of Germany.
Reg. 6608 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux pals d'arg. C.: un vol de sa.”
SilesiaSilesia, c. 1765
Where the Boch Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Boch arms are recorded
The Boch arms were recorded in Silesia, c. 1765.
Silesia was farming country in the east of the German lands, held in large estates by families who stayed put for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so the region fills a good deal of the register.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Boch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Silesia.
Origin & History of the Boch Family in Germany
The family name Boch traces its roots back to the historical region of Silesia, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1765. During the eighteenth century, Silesia was a vibrant territory caught between the cultural influences of Central Europe, and families like the Bochs often worked as skilled laborers, farmers, or craftsmen within these growing communities. The name itself is thought to be derived from old linguistic roots related to the beech tree, which was a common way for families to identify themselves based on the natural landscape of their home. As the family settled into the region, they became part of the social fabric of Silesian life, contributing to the local economy and the development of the towns where they resided. Over time, the name persisted through generations, serving as a link between the family and their ancestral ties to the land and history of the Silesian countryside.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boc
A Middle High German term for a buck or male goat.
This name
BochAn occupational name for a goatherd or a nickname for someone resembling a goat.
also spelled
Boche
Bok
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen, geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
State Archive in Wrocław (Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu), Księgi metrykalne i akta stanu cywilnego, 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
