Map of France showing where the Bohannon arms are recorded
The Bohannon arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bohannon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Bohannon Family in France
The Bohannon surname has roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Brittany, a region in northwestern France. By 1725, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the local communities of the province. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns, reflecting the unique blend of Celtic and French influences that defined the area during the early eighteenth century. Families in this region often lived as farmers or skilled tradespeople, deeply connected to the coastal environment and the traditions of their parishes. As these individuals moved through the eighteenth century, they carried their family identity into new regions, eventually spreading the name across borders and oceans. This early history highlights a lineage rooted in the resilience of Breton life, where families maintained strong ties to their local heritage before embarking on the migrations that would define their future generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Beohann
An ancient Gaelic personal name meaning living or life.
This name
BohannonDerived from the Gaelic O'Buachain, signifying a descendant of the cowherd or cattle keeper.
also spelled
Bonanne
Bonann
Bonano
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives départementales du Finistère, Collection de la série E, État civil
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses du Finistère, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
