A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bog family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0283 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. on a chev. ar. three stars sa”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bog Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bog arms are recorded
The Bog arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bog arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Bog Family in England
The history of the Bog family in England is deeply rooted in the northern landscape, particularly within the historic city of York. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were already established residents in this region. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, used to identify people who lived near a marshy area or a piece of soft, wet ground. During the seventeenth century, York served as a major hub for trade and administration, making it a common destination for families seeking to build a stable life. As the family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the North Riding of Yorkshire, contributing to the daily life and labor of the city during a period of significant transition in English history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a chev. gu. betw. two cinquefoils in chief and a buck's head in base sa”
ScotlandBurnhouse, c. 1748
Where the Bog Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bog arms are recorded
The Bog arms were recorded in Burnhouse, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Bog arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Bog Family in Scotland
The surname Bog is deeply rooted in the landscape of Scotland, where it likely originated as a topographical name for families living near a marsh or a soft patch of ground. While the name is relatively rare, historical records confirm that members of the Bog family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, the family was integrated into the urban life of the city, often appearing in legal and municipal documents related to property and trade. Because the name is derived from the Old Norse word *bogi* or the Middle English *bog*, it suggests that the earliest ancestors were identified by their proximity to specific natural features in the Scottish Lowlands. As the family grew, they moved from rural areas into the bustling center of Edinburgh, where they contributed to the professional and social development of the capital during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boga
Old Norse term meaning a bow or a curved object.
This name
BogA topographical name for someone living near a bog or marshy ground.
also spelled
Bogge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Accounts, 1620
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cinquefoilHope and joy
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
