A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bodart family of Belgium.
Reg. 4773 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Parti: au 1 coupé: a. de gu. à deux dauphins accostés d'arg., posés en pals, les têtes en bas et affr.; b. d'azur à cinq cotices d'or (Bodart); au 2 d'arg. à trois roses de gu., bout. d'or, barbées de sin. (Mons, au P. de Liége.) Cq. cour. C.: les dauphins. L.: d'arg. et de gu.”
Belgiumc. 1861
Where the Bodart Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Bodart arms are recorded
The Bodart arms were recorded in Belgium, c. 1861.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Brabant.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Leopold I of Belgium
Sovereign of the period
Leopold I of Belgium
1831–1865
Reigning in Belgium when the Bodart arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Bodart Family in Belgium
The surname Bodart has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, which spans parts of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. The name is believed to be a variation of the ancient Germanic name Baudouin, which translates to a bold or brave friend. By the mid-19th century, families carrying this name were well-established members of the local community in Brabant. During this period, the region was undergoing significant industrial growth and social change, which influenced how families lived and worked. Many people with this surname were likely involved in the agricultural or early manufacturing trades that defined the economy of the Low Countries at that time. As the family grew, they became part of the long-standing cultural fabric of the area, maintaining their presence through generations of local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Baudouin
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bold and friend.
This name
BodartA diminutive form of the name Baldwin, signifying a bold or brave friend.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief), Civil Registration of Brabant (Burgerlijke Stand van Brabant), 1861
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
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
dolphinSwiftness, charity and love
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
