A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonne family of France.
Reg. 9110 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au lion d'or; au chef d'azur ch. de trois roses d'arg. D.: GRADIENDO ROBORE FLORET.”
Francec. 1610
Where the Bonne Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bonne arms are recorded
The Bonne arms were recorded in France, c. 1610.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Bonne 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 Bonne Family in France
The surname Bonne carries a long history rooted in the French language, where the term was traditionally used as a descriptor for someone who was considered good, kind, or virtuous. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the region of Bretagne. Records confirm that members of the Bonne family were living in this area by 1610, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local community. During this period, families in Bretagne were often deeply connected to their specific parishes, and the name appears in local registers as the family integrated into the social and economic life of the province. Their early history reflects the typical movement of families who settled in the coastal and rural landscapes of northwestern France, where they maintained their lineage through generations of local residency.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bonus
Latin term meaning good, virtuous, or excellent.
This name
BonneA descriptive surname for a person considered to be kind, good, or virtuous.
also spelled
Bonn
Boone
Bon
Related arms
le Digourissimilar arms
Bonavariant spelling
Bon, Bonnavariant spelling
Bonnvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
