A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bonte family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3968 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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'arg. au cor-de-chasse de sa., eng. et vir. d'or, lié de gu., acc. en chef de trois roses rangées du même, bout. d'or.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Bonte Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Bonte arms are recorded
The Bonte 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 Belgium when the Bonte 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 Bonte Family in Belgium
The surname Bonte has deep roots in the historical region of Brabant, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1737. In the Dutch language, the word bonte describes something multicolored, spotted, or pied. It is likely that the name began as a descriptive nickname used to identify an ancestor by their physical appearance, such as the color of their hair or the style of their clothing. During the eighteenth century, families in this part of Belgium often lived in tight-knit rural or semi-urban communities where such nicknames became permanent identifiers passed down through generations. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Brabant, contributing to the agricultural and local trade life that defined the region during the late modern period. The persistence of the name in parish registers and local administrative documents from this era shows how the family integrated into the administrative structures of the time while maintaining their distinct identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ec.: au 1 d'azur à quatre drapeaux d'or, passés en saut.; aux 2 et 3 de sa. au pélican dans son aire, d'arg.; au 4 d'azur au chev. d'or, acc. de trois quintefeuilles d'arg.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1809
Where the Bonte Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bonte arms are recorded
The Bonte arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1809.
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.
Napoleon
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon
1804–1814
Reigning in Belgium when the Bonte 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 Bonte Family in France
The family name Bonte has deep roots in the northern regions of France, where it originated as a descriptive nickname. In the medieval period, the term was often used to describe someone who possessed a kind or good nature, as it is derived from the Old French word for goodness. While the name is famously associated with the Flanders region, branches of the family moved across the country over the centuries. By 1809, official records confirm that members of the Bonte family were well-established in the province of Bretagne. During this era, families in Bretagne were often involved in local agriculture or maritime trades, reflecting the rugged and independent spirit of the coastal region. These early ancestors helped shape the local community, leaving behind a legacy that transitioned from a simple descriptive nickname into a permanent family identity passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bont
A Middle Dutch term referring to fur or variegated coloring.
This name
BonteA descriptive nickname for a person who wore fur garments or had multicolored clothing.
also spelled
Bonthe
Bontay
Bont
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Debrabandere, Frans. Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk. 1993
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hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
cinquefoilHope and joy
