A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonnard family of France.
Reg. 0905 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“D'or à trois cors-de-chasse de gu., vir. d'arg., liés d'azur.”
FranceTour, c. 1725
Where the Bonnard Arms Were Recorded
Tour
Map of France showing where the Bonnard arms are recorded
The Bonnard arms were recorded in Tour, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bonnard 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 Bonnard Family in France
The surname Bonnard is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of central France, particularly within the region surrounding the city of Tours. By the early 18th century, the family had established a documented presence in this area, as evidenced by records from 1725. The name itself is derived from the Old French term "bon," meaning good, combined with a common suffix used to describe a person’s character or physical traits. Historically, families like the Bonnards were often part of the local artisan or merchant classes who helped drive the economy of the Loire Valley. As they settled in Tours, they became integrated into the social fabric of a city famous for its silk production and religious significance. Over generations, the family name became a permanent fixture in local parish registers, reflecting a life defined by steady work and community involvement in one of France’s most culturally rich provinces.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bon
Derived from the Latin word bonus meaning good or virtuous.
This name
BonnardA topographical name for someone who lived on good or fertile land.
also spelled
Bonnart
Bonard
Related arms
Bonnartvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Indre-et-Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la ville de Tours, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille 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.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
