Map of England showing where the Boggs arms are recorded
The Boggs arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1602.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Boggs 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 Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Boggs Family in England
The surname Boggs is a topographical name that originated in the British Isles, specifically referring to people who lived near a bog or a marshy area. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Lincoln, England. Records from 1602 confirm that members of the Boggs family were active in this region during a time of significant social and economic transition. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community through trade and civic life. Over the following generations, the name spread across the country and eventually crossed the Atlantic as family members sought new opportunities in the American colonies. This movement helped the name evolve from a local descriptor of a landscape into a lasting family legacy.
Boggs Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bogg
A Middle English term referring to soft, wet, or marshy ground.
This name
BoggsA topographic name for someone who lived near a bog or marshland.
also spelled
Boge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lower, Mark Antony, Patronymica Britannica: A Dictionary of the Family Names of the United Kingdom, 1860
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln Consistory Court Wills and Inventories
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
