A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bosse family of Germany.
Reg. 0539 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à une patte de lion d'or, mouv. du flanc sen., tenant un tronc d'arbre au nat. en pal, poussant à dextre et à sen. deux épis d'or. Cq. cour. C.: le tronc avec ses épis, entre un vol coupé alt. de gu. et d'arg. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Bosse Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Bosse arms are recorded
The Bosse arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Bosse arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Bosse Family in Germany
The family name Bosse has deep roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, with historical documentation placing members of the family in Bavaria by the year 1765. The name is generally considered to be of occupational or descriptive origin, often linked to the Middle High German word "bose," which historically carried meanings related to being bold, strong, or sometimes mischievous. During the eighteenth century, families in the Bavarian region were often tied to the land through agriculture or specialized local trades. As the family established itself in this area, they became part of the social fabric of rural villages and growing towns. Over time, the name spread across different regions as family members moved to seek new opportunities in trade and craftsmanship. This history reflects the broader movement of families across Central Europe during a period of significant social and economic transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boso
An ancient Germanic personal name derived from the word for bad.
This name
BosseA patronymic surname originating from a nickname for a bold or arrogant person.
also spelled
Bos
Boss
Related arms
Bosvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Heintze, Albert, Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich, 1903
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
pawStrength held ready, the beast's power in a single limb
