A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boix family of France.
Reg. 5519 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un arbre de sin. sur une terrasse isolée du même. (xière.”
BearnBearn, c. 1663
Where the Boix Arms Were Recorded
Bearn
Map of France showing where the Boix arms are recorded
The Boix arms were recorded in Bearn, c. 1663.
Bearn was Pyrenean country with its own laws and a strong class of small independent landholders. A great many families counted as gentry there, and each needed a shield 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 Boix 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 Bearn.
Origin & History of the Boix Family in France
The surname Boix has deep roots in the historical region of Bearn, located in the southwestern corner of France near the Pyrenees mountains. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, living among a population that often spoke a unique local dialect known as Béarnais. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old Occitan word for the boxwood tree, a hardy evergreen plant that was common in the rugged landscape of the region. Families during this period were frequently identified by their connection to the land or specific natural landmarks near their homes. As the Boix family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, likely participating in the agricultural and pastoral life that defined the Bearn province for centuries. Their presence in the region during the mid-17th century suggests they were deeply integrated into the local community long before modern record-keeping became standardized.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buxus
Latin term for the boxwood evergreen shrub or tree.
This name
BoixA topographic name for someone who lived near a boxwood grove or thicket.
also spelled
Boicks
Boiss
Boixs
Bwah
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tucoo-Chala, Pierre. Histoire du Béarn. 1998
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
