Map of France showing where the Bondurant arms are recorded
The Bondurant 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 Bondurant 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 Bondurant Family in France
The Bondurant family name finds its historical roots in the western regions of France, specifically within the province of Bretagne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were established in this area, living during a time of significant social and religious change. The name itself is thought to be locative, likely originating from a small settlement or a specific geographical feature near the borderlands of the region. During the seventeenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where they worked the land or engaged in local trade. The movement of the Bondurants from these French provinces toward the New World was largely driven by the shifting political and religious climate of the era. This transition marked the end of their early life in France and the beginning of their long history as a family in North America.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à trois étrilles d'arg. C.: une tête et col de cheval d'arg., bridée de gu.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
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Map of Belgium showing where the Bondurant arms are recorded
The Bondurant arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in France when the Bondurant arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Bondurant Family in Belgium
The Bondurant family name finds its historical roots in the region of Brabant, which is located in modern-day Belgium. Records indicate that members of the family were established in this area by 1737, living within a landscape defined by shifting borders and local governance. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a center of trade and agriculture under the rule of the Austrian Netherlands. Families living in this region often worked as skilled laborers or landowners who contributed to the local economy. The name itself reflects the linguistic blend of the area, as it likely evolved from local dialects common to the borderlands between French and Dutch speakers. By maintaining a presence in Brabant, the early Bondurants participated in the daily life of a region known for its complex social structure and deep historical ties to European commerce.
Bondurant Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Bonde
A Germanic term referring to a peasant farmer or freeholder.
This name
BondurantA locational surname derived from a place in France where a freeholder resided.
also spelled
Bondarte
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Du Puy, Charles M., The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and His Descendants, 1908
Bondurant, Mary Jane, The Bondurant Family in America, 1989
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Archives nationales de France, Fonds des familles protestantes
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
