A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boës family of Germany.
Reg. 6256 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. au chev. d'or, acc. de trois besants-tourteaux écartelés en saut. d'or et de sa. C.: un homme iss., hab. aux armes de l'écu, rebr. et tort. d'or, supp. de sa main sen. un besant-tourteau de l'écu.”
GermanyRothenburg Bav, c. 1765
Where the Boës Arms Were Recorded
Rothenburg
Map of Germany showing where the Boës arms are recorded
The Boës arms were recorded in Rothenburg Bav, c. 1765.
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 Boës 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 Germany.
Origin & History of the Boës Family in Germany
The family name Boës has deep roots in the historical region of Franconia, where records confirm members of the family were established in the medieval city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber by 1765. The name likely evolved from regional dialects and naming customs common in southern Germany during the late Middle Ages. Families living in Rothenburg at this time were often integrated into the city’s vibrant trade and craft guilds, which helped define their social standing and daily life. As the family grew, they became part of the local fabric of the city, navigating the shifts in regional politics and the transition from the Holy Roman Empire into the modern era. By maintaining their presence in this fortified town, the early Boës family members contributed to the long-standing cultural history of the Franconian region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bodo
A Germanic personal name derived from the element meaning messenger or herald.
This name
BoësA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Bodo or a related variant.
also spelled
Boez
Boese
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Stadtarchiv Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bürgerbuch der Stadt Rothenburg ob der Tauber, 1765
Stadtarchiv Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Kirchenbücher der St. Jakobskirche, 1765
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
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
