A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boisse family of France.
Reg. 5817 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Fascé d'arg. et de gu., les fasces d'arg., ch. chacune de trois mouch. d'herm. de sa. D.: AMOUR ET HONNEUR.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Boisse Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Boisse arms are recorded
The Boisse arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Boisse 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 Boisse Family in France
The family name Boisse finds its roots in the French language, where it is derived from the word "bois," meaning wood or forest. This suggests that the earliest ancestors likely lived near a wooded area or worked as foresters in the rural landscapes of France. By 1663, records confirm that members of the Boisse family were well-established in the region of Bretagne. During this era, life in Bretagne was defined by close-knit agricultural communities and the influence of local parish traditions. Families like the Boisses often played vital roles in these small villages, contributing to the local economy through farming or craftsmanship. As they settled into this coastal province, the family became part of the long history of the Breton people, maintaining their presence in the region for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boscum
A Latin term referring to a wood, forest, or thicket.
This name
BoisseA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked in a wooded area.
also spelled
Boisses
Boissée
Boiss
Bwas
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 départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1663
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
ermineDignity and rank
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ermineDignity and rank
