A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonfoy family of England.
Reg. 1969 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. on a cross ar. a human heart gu”
MiddlesexHease · Middlesex, c. 1620
Where the Bonfoy Arms Were Recorded
Middlesex
Map of England showing where the Bonfoy arms are recorded
The Bonfoy arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1620.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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 Bonfoy 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Bonfoy Family in England
The surname Bonfoy carries a rich history that suggests a connection to the movement of people across Europe during the seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Bonfoy family were well-established residents of Middlesex, England. The name itself is often interpreted as a variation of the French phrase "bon foi," which translates to "good faith." This suggests that the family may have originally been part of the Huguenot community, a group of French Protestants who sought refuge in England to escape religious persecution. Living in the bustling area of Middlesex allowed the early Bonfoys to integrate into English society while maintaining their distinct identity. Over time, they became active participants in the local economy and social life of the region, leaving behind a legacy that links their origins to both continental European roots and their long-standing presence in the London area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonne Foi
Old French phrase meaning good faith or honest belief.
This name
BonfoyA descriptive surname for an honest, trustworthy, or sincere individual.
also spelled
Bonfey
Bonfay
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Agnew, David C. A., Protestant Exiles from France in the Reign of Louis XIV, 1871
Burn, John Southerden, The History of the French, Walloon, Dutch, and Other Foreign Protestant Refugees Settled in England, 1846
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
London Metropolitan Archives, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
cross symbolChristian faith and service
heartSincerity, charity and true affection
