A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonnay family of France.
Reg. 7559 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois hures de sanglier de sa., défendues du champ.”
BourgogneBourgogne, c. 1663
Where the Bonnay Arms Were Recorded
Bourgogne
Map of France showing where the Bonnay arms are recorded
The Bonnay arms were recorded in Bourgogne, c. 1663.
Bourgogne was one of the richest parts of France, built on wine, wool and the roads that carried both. Wealth of that kind bought land, and land brought arms, so the region filled with armed families earlier than most of the country.
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 Bonnay 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 Bourgogne.
Origin & History of the Bonnay Family in France
The family name Bonnay traces its roots to the historic region of Bourgogne in eastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this area. During the seventeenth century, Bourgogne was a prominent center for agriculture and viticulture, and families living there often tied their livelihoods to the fertile land. The name itself likely evolved from local geographic markers or small settlements found within the province. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the daily life and administrative duties of their rural communities. This early presence in Bourgogne suggests that the Bonnay family was deeply connected to the traditions and regional identity of eastern France long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good or virtuous.
This name
BonnayA locative surname derived from a place name indicating a good or pleasant location.
also spelled
Bonnaie
Bonay
Related arms
Hoog de Ter-Aarsimilar arms
van der Haghensimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Côte-d'Or, Série E, État civil et registres paroissiaux
Garnier, J., Chartes de communes et d'affranchissements en Bourgogne, 1867
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
