A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boche family of France.
Reg. 5793 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
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 trois voiles enflées d'arg. D.: MAS FORTUNA, MAS VELAS.”
FranceArles, c. 1663
Where the Boche Arms Were Recorded
Arles
Map of France showing where the Boche arms are recorded
The Boche arms were recorded in Arles, c. 1663.
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 Boche 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 France.
Origin & History of the Boche Family in France
The family name Boche finds its roots in the historical landscape of southern France, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of Arles as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Arles was a bustling center of trade and culture located along the Rhône River, which allowed families to establish deep ties to the region through agriculture, craftsmanship, and local governance. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects, possibly serving as a descriptive term or a nickname that became a permanent identifier for the household over several generations. As the family became integrated into the social fabric of Arles, they participated in the daily life of a city that was transitioning through significant political and economic shifts. By maintaining a presence in such a prominent urban center, the early Boche family members were part of the enduring history of Provence, contributing to the community through their work and their long-standing residency in the area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boche
Old French term referring to a round or ball-shaped object.
This name
BocheA nickname for a person with a round head or a stubborn temperament.
also spelled
Boch
Bosh
Related arms
Bochvariant spelling
Barrasrecorded with Boche, same area
Romieurecorded with Boche, same area
Sabatierrecorded with Boche, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales des Bouches-du-Rhône, Registres paroissiaux de la ville d'Arles, 1663
Benoît, Fernand, Histoire d'Arles, 1935
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shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
