A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bot family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3783 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à trois plies nageantes d'arg.”
BrabantBrabant, c. 1737
Where the Bot Arms Were Recorded
Brabant
Map of Belgium showing where the Bot arms are recorded
The Bot arms were recorded in Brabant, c. 1737.
Brabant lay at the heart of the Low Countries, where the trade routes met. Its towns were wealthy and its landowners many, and both kinds of family kept arms, which is why the region is so heavily represented.
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 Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Bot arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Brabant.
Origin & History of the Bot Family in Belgium
The family name Bot has deep historical roots in the region of Brabant, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1737. During the eighteenth century, Brabant was a center of agricultural and trade activity within the Southern Netherlands. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific trade, which was a common practice for families in this area during that period. As the family established itself in local communities, they became part of the social fabric of the region, often working in fields related to the local economy. By studying parish registers and civil documents from this era, historians can trace how the family adapted to the changing political landscape of Belgium. These early generations helped define the family identity long before the modern borders of the country were fully established.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la fasce d'arg., acc. de trois coquilles du même.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Bot Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bot arms are recorded
The Bot arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in Belgium when the Bot 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 Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Bot Family in France
The family name Bot carries a deep connection to the rugged landscape of Brittany, where records confirm members of the family were firmly established by 1663. In the French language, the term "bot" historically functioned as a descriptive nickname, often referring to someone with a stout or thickset physical build. During the seventeenth century, families in rural Brittany were frequently identified by these practical descriptors, which eventually solidified into permanent surnames as parish record-keeping became more standardized. By living in this coastal region, the early Bot family likely participated in the traditional agricultural and maritime life of the province, navigating the unique cultural and linguistic shifts that defined Brittany during the reign of King Louis XIV. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of their local parishes, leaving behind traces in baptismal and marriage registers that document their steady presence in the region for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boto
A Germanic personal name derived from the word for messenger or herald.
This name
BotA patronymic surname indicating descent from an ancestor originally named Boto or a nickname for a blunt person.
also spelled
Bott
Related arms
Bootvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Parochieregisters van Brabant
State Archives in Belgium (Rijksarchief in België), Burgerlijke Stand van de provincie Brabant
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Leys, O., De familienamen in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden, 1970
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
