A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Borde family of France.
Reg. 1530 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
horseReadiness to serve king and country
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Parti: au 1 d'arg. à trois falots de sa., allumés de gu.; au 2 coupé: a. d'or à un cheval iss. de gu.; b. de sin. à une étoile (6) d'or [V. Bordes, en Périgord.]”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Borde Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Borde arms are recorded
The Borde arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Borde 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Borde Family in France
The family name Borde originates from the Old French word "borde," which historically referred to a small farm or a humble cottage. This suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely rural laborers or tenant farmers who lived on modest plots of land. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Borde family were well-established in the Lyonnais region of France. During this period, the Lyonnais area was a significant hub for trade and agriculture, placing the family at the heart of a vibrant provincial society. As the family grew, they integrated into the local community, likely contributing to the agricultural output and the developing economy of the region. Their presence in 17th-century Lyonnais highlights a long-standing connection to the French countryside and the traditional way of life that defined that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
borde
Old French term for a small farm or hut.
This name
BordeA topographic name for someone who lived on or worked a small farmstead.
also spelled
Bordee
Bord
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales du Rhône. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil du Lyonnais. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
horseReadiness to serve king and country
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
lampLearning, watchfulness and light in darkness
horseReadiness to serve king and country
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
