A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boileau family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 2926 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à une croix de gu., la traverse ch. de trois bes. du champ.”
Ile-de-FranceIle-de-France, c. 1663
Where the Boileau Arms Were Recorded
Ile-de-France
Map of France showing where the Boileau arms are recorded
The Boileau arms were recorded in Ile-de-France, c. 1663.
Ile-de-France is the country around Paris, and proximity to the court mattered. Families who served the crown were rewarded with land near it, and land near the capital carried arms almost as a matter of course.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Boileau 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 Ile-de-France.
Origin & History of the Boileau Family in France
The surname Boileau finds its deep historical roots in the fertile lands of the Île-de-France region, where the family was firmly established by the mid-seventeenth century. The name itself is descriptive in nature, likely originating from the Old French words "boire" and "eau," which translate to "drink water." This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have lived near a specific spring, a well, or a river that provided high-quality water to the local community. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Boileau family were active participants in the social and economic life of this central French province. During this era, the region served as the heart of the kingdom, and families like the Boileaus were often tied to the land or local trades that supported the growing influence of Paris. Their presence in the historical record during this time reflects a period of stability and integration into the rural and urban landscapes that defined the French identity before the modern age.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à trois gerbes d'arg. C.: un coeur enflammé au nat.”
CheshireCheshire, c. 1700
Where the Boileau Arms Were Recorded
Cheshire
Map of Britain showing where the Boileau arms are recorded
The Boileau arms were recorded in Cheshire, c. 1700.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in France when the Boileau arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Cheshire.
Origin & History of the Boileau Family in Britain
The Boileau family name traces its roots to the French language, where it translates to "drink water," a term historically used to describe a person who was temperate or perhaps a teetotaler. While the name is deeply connected to French heritage, members of the family established a notable presence in Britain by the early 18th century. Records confirm that the Boileau family was settled in the county of Cheshire by the year 1700. During this period, many families with French origins moved to Britain to seek new opportunities or to escape religious and political instability on the continent. Once in Cheshire, the family integrated into the local community, transitioning from their French linguistic origins to become a recognized part of the English social landscape. Their presence in the region during this era highlights the broader movement of families across the English Channel, which helped shape the diverse cultural history of northern England.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. three garbs ar”
ChesterChester, c. 1620
Where the Boileau Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Boileau arms are recorded
The Boileau arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1620.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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 France when the Boileau 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Boileau Family in England
The Boileau family name carries a history deeply rooted in the movement of people across borders during the seventeenth century. While the name is of French origin, its presence in England became firmly established by the early 1600s. Historical records confirm that members of the family were living in the city of Chester by 1620. During this period, Chester served as a vital hub for trade and travel, making it a logical place for families arriving from the continent to settle and integrate into English society. As these early family members established their lives in Cheshire, they transitioned from their French roots to become part of the local community. This relocation reflects the broader patterns of migration that shaped the social landscape of England during the early modern era, as families sought new opportunities and stability within the growing towns of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boire + eau
Old French for to drink and water.
This name
BoileauA nickname for a heavy drinker or someone who drinks water instead of wine.
also spelled
Boileaux
Boileo
Boileault
Boylo
Boilew
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives nationales de France. Minutier central des notaires de Paris. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
cross symbolChristian faith and service
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
