A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boivin family of France.
Reg. 9852 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Purple (Purpure)Means: Royal majesty
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Tranché-ondé: au 1 d'azur au croiss. versé d'arg.; au 2 d'arg. à une grappe de raisins de pourpre, pamprée de sin. D.: CONSCIENTIA ET FAMA.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Boivin Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Boivin arms are recorded
The Boivin arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Boivin 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Boivin Family in France
The surname Boivin originates from the French language and is traditionally linked to the medieval term "boivre," which refers to someone who drinks. Historians believe the name likely began as a nickname for a tavern keeper or a person known for their love of wine. By the middle of the seventeenth century, the family established a strong presence in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Boivin family were living and working in this area during a time of significant transition for the province. As the region moved toward closer integration with the French kingdom, these early settlers helped shape the local community through their agricultural and trade activities. Their presence in Franche-Comté during this era highlights the family's deep roots in the historical landscape of eastern France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boire
Old French verb meaning to drink.
This name
BoivinA nickname for a heavy drinker or a tavern keeper.
also spelled
Boivint
Boivyn
Boivain
Bwavan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la province de Franche-Comté, 1663
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
grapesPlenty, and the labour of the vine
