A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boland family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3308 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois clés à l'antique (en forme de violons) d'or. C.: une clé de l'écu, entre un vol d'azur et d'or.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Boland Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Boland arms are recorded
The Boland 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 Boland 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 Boland Family in France
The surname Boland carries a deep connection to the rugged landscape of Brittany, where the family established a documented presence by the year 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub within the Kingdom of France, shaped by its unique language and maritime traditions. Families living in Brittany at this time were often tied to the land through agriculture or trade, navigating the complex social structures of the seventeenth century. The name likely evolved from local linguistic roots common to the western provinces, reflecting the way surnames were formed to identify specific households or ancestral origins in rural communities. As the family settled into the local parish life of Brittany, they became part of the enduring history of a region that maintained strong ties to its own heritage while existing under the broader French crown.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. three bird bolts or”
DevonshireDevonshire, c. 1620
Where the Boland Arms Were Recorded
Devonshire
Map of England showing where the Boland arms are recorded
The Boland arms were recorded in Devonshire, c. 1620.
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 Boland 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 Devonshire.
Origin & History of the Boland Family in England
The surname Boland has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical records confirming that members of the family were firmly established in the county of Devonshire by the year 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with families living in rural parishes where agriculture and local trade defined daily life. While the name likely evolved from older linguistic roots, its presence in the West Country suggests that early Bolands were part of the steady migration and settlement patterns that shaped English village society in the seventeenth century. These families were typically involved in the common industries of the time, such as farming or wool production, which were the economic pillars of Devonshire. By settling in this region, the early Bolands became part of the local fabric, contributing to the growth of their communities during a time of significant social and political change in England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bohland
Derived from the Germanic elements for dwelling or land and bold.
This name
BolandRefers to a person who lived on or cultivated a specific piece of land.
also spelled
Bolant
Bollond
Related arms
Bowlandvariant spelling
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, 1663
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1978
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes-d'Armor, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
