A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Borchert family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6205 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. à la croix engr. de gu., cant. de quatre bouses de sa. C.: une tête et col de vieillard, hab. de sin., au rabat d'or, cour. du même, coiffé d'un bonnet albanais de gu. houppé d'or.”
Francec. 1461
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Map of France showing where the Borchert arms are recorded
The Borchert arms were recorded in France, c. 1461.
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.
Charles VII of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles VII of France
1422–1461
Reigning in France when the Borchert 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 Borchert Family in France
The history of the Borchert name in France begins with a notable presence in the region of Bretagne during the middle of the fifteenth century. By 1461, records indicate that members of the family were already established within this coastal province, which was then a semi-independent duchy with its own distinct cultural identity. During this era, families often settled in specific areas to serve local lords or engage in the growing maritime trade that defined the Breton economy. Because the name suggests roots that may have traveled across borders, the Borchert family likely integrated into the local social fabric by adapting to the regional customs and the French language of the time. Their presence in Bretagne suggests they were part of a period of transition where families moved between territories to find new opportunities in agriculture or administration. Over time, these early settlers helped shape the local community, leaving behind a legacy that is tied to the long and complex history of the Breton people.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. three leopards statant or”
Englandc. 1610
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Map of England showing where the Borchert arms are recorded
The Borchert arms were recorded in England, c. 1610.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Borchert arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Borchert Family in England
The Borchert family name carries a history deeply rooted in the movement of people across Northern Europe, eventually finding a foothold in England by the early seventeenth century. While the name is primarily associated with Germanic origins, where it often denoted a person who lived near a castle or a fortified town, its appearance in York by 1610 suggests that members of the family were part of the growing network of merchants and skilled laborers who migrated across the North Sea. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious transition, providing a unique environment for immigrant families to integrate into local society. These early Borcherts likely navigated the complexities of English life by adapting their traditional naming conventions to fit the local dialect and administrative record-keeping of the time. Their presence in the city archives indicates they were established enough to be documented in official registers, marking the beginning of the family’s long-standing connection to the English landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burkhard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning fortress and hardy or brave.
This name
BorchertA surname of Germanic origin denoting someone who lived near or guarded a fortified place.
also spelled
Bourshier
Bourchyer
Bursher
Burchier
Bourcher
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E: Familles, seigneuries et terres
Poter, Arthur, La Bretagne au XVe siècle, 1974
Le Goff, Jacques, Les Bretons et leur histoire, 1982
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
