A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boran family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1778 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
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. au lion de sa., acc. de trois têtes de More, tort. du champ.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Boran Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Boran arms are recorded
The Boran arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Boran 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Boran Family in France
The history of the Boran family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Normandy, where records confirm their presence as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Normandy was a region defined by its agricultural traditions and its strategic importance to the French crown. Families living in this area often worked as skilled laborers or tenant farmers who contributed to the local economy of the coastal provinces. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects spoken in northern France, reflecting the way people identified their homes or specific trades within their small village communities. As the family established themselves in the region, they became part of the social fabric that defined rural French life during the reign of King Louis XIV. By maintaining their presence in Normandy, the Borans participated in the long-term development of a province known for its resilience and its connection to the broader history of the French nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three griffins' heads erased gu. within a border compony of the first and second”
DublinDublin, c. 1645
Where the Boran Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Boran arms are recorded
The Boran arms were recorded in Dublin, c. 1645.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Boran arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Dublin.
Origin & History of the Boran Family in Ireland
The Boran family name has a distinct history rooted in the urban landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. By 1645, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin, a city that served as a vital center for trade and administration during a period of significant political upheaval. The name likely emerged within the bustling social environment of the capital, where families often formed around specific crafts or merchant networks. As the family settled into the city, they became part of the diverse population that navigated the complex legal and social changes defining Ireland at the time. Their presence in Dublin during this era suggests they were integrated into the local economy, contributing to the development of the city as it transitioned through the mid-seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boreas
The Greek god of the cold north wind.
This name
BoranDerived from the ancient term for a person originating from the north.
also spelled
Boren
Bouran
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Boudet, Jacques, Les noms de famille en France, 1977
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
lionCourage, strength and royalty
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
