Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à trois pals d'azur; au chef de gu., ch. de trois coeurs d'arg.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bodden family of Belgium.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'or à trois pals d'azur; au chef de gu., ch. de trois coeurs d'arg.”
The Bodden arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
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.
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.
The family name Bodden has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, which spans parts of modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. By the year 1737, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area. The name itself is likely a patronymic or a locative surname, meaning it may have originated from a specific ancestor’s given name or a reference to a local landmark. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a bustling center of trade and agriculture, and families like the Boddens often played active roles in their local communities. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the region, contributing to the local economy and the development of their towns. This period was a time of significant transition in Europe, and the Boddens were among the many families who helped shape the history of the Low Countries through their daily work and community ties.
A messenger or herald in Germanic languages.
