Map of France showing where the Bordenave arms are recorded
The Bordenave arms were recorded in Gascogne, c. 1725.
Gascogne was south-western country of small estates and stubborn independence, long fought over by France and England. Its gentry were numerous and poor, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bordenave 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 Gascogne.
Origin & History of the Bordenave Family in France
The family name Bordenave originates from the historic region of Gascogne in southwestern France. The name itself is descriptive and likely stems from the Occitan language, combining the words "borde," meaning a small farm or hut, and "nave," which refers to a new or cleared piece of land. This suggests that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or settlers who established homesteads on newly cultivated territory. By the early 18th century, records confirm that the family was well-established within the social and agricultural landscape of Gascogne. During this period, the family members were deeply connected to the rural traditions of the region, living as part of the local community and contributing to the development of the area. Their presence in 1725 reflects a long-standing history of land stewardship that defined the family identity for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bord
Old French term for a small farm or hut.
This name
BordenaveRefers to a person who lived on or managed a small farmstead.
also spelled
Bordenave d'Aber
Bordenav d Aber
Bordenave
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives Départementales des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Gascogne, 1725
Nègre, Ernest, Toponymie générale de la France, 1990
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
