Map of England showing where the Bolda arms are recorded
The Bolda arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 England when the Bolda 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Bolda Family in England
The history of the Bolda family name is rooted in the social and geographical landscape of seventeenth-century England. Records confirm that members of the family were established in Lancaster by 1620, a period defined by significant regional growth and the expansion of trade in the North West. During this era, families in Lancaster often lived near the River Lune, where the local economy relied heavily on maritime commerce and the wool industry. The name likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their specific location or their role within the growing town community. As the family put down roots in this historic market town, they became part of the local fabric that helped shape the development of Lancashire. By living in such a prominent hub, early members of the Bolda family were positioned to witness the shifting political and economic tides of the early modern period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bald
Derived from the Proto-Germanic word meaning bold or brave.
This name
BoldaA locational or descriptive surname denoting a person who is courageous or daring.
also spelled
Bould
Boulde
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Registers: Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1620
Shaw, R. C., The Royal Forest of Lancaster: A Study in North-West English History, 1956
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
