A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonamy family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2598 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 la fasce d'or, acc. en p. d'un chien pass. d'arg.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Bonamy Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bonamy arms are recorded
The Bonamy arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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 Bonamy 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Bonamy Family in France
The family name Bonamy traces its roots to the linguistic traditions of medieval France, where it emerged as a descriptive nickname. Derived from the French words "bon" and "ami," the name translates to "good friend," suggesting that it was originally bestowed upon a person known for their kind or sociable nature. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the Bonamy family were firmly established in the region of Bretagne. Records from 1663 confirm their presence in this coastal province, where they participated in the local social and economic life of the era. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural or town communities, and the Bonamy name became a recognized part of the local population as the family integrated into the administrative and parish structures of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
The body that granted and recorded arms in Guernsey in this period.
James II of England
Sovereign of the period
James II of England
1685–1688
Reigning in France when the Bonamy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Guernsey
Arms in the Channel Islands were granted and recorded by the College of Arms in London, under the same law of arms as England. They could be used by all legitimate descendants of the original owner: the eldest son kept the original design, and other family members used the same shield without registering a version of their own.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms for Guernsey and the other Channel Islands 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 Guernsey.
Origin & History of the Bonamy Family in Guernsey
The Bonamy family established a significant presence in Guernsey by the late seventeenth century, becoming deeply woven into the island’s social and political fabric. By 1688, members of the family were already well-integrated into the local community, often serving in influential roles that helped shape the island's governance and legal traditions. The name itself reflects a blend of French linguistic roots, which was common among the families who settled in the Channel Islands during this period. Over the generations, the Bonamys became known for their involvement in the merchant trade and their dedication to public service, which allowed them to maintain a prominent status on the island for centuries. Their history in Guernsey is a testament to how families from the continent adapted to the unique customs and autonomy of the Channel Islands while preserving their own distinct identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus Amicus
Latin phrase meaning good friend.
This name
BonamyA descriptive surname referring to a person considered a good or kind friend.
also spelled
Bonamie
Bonamee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
handFaith, sincerity and justice
