A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouchard family of France.
Reg. 1300 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 deux épées d'arg., passées en saut., surmontant deux roues du même en p.; au chef de gu., ch. de trois fleurs-de-lis d'arg.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Bouchard Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Bouchard arms are recorded
The Bouchard arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Bouchard 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 Bouchard Family in France
The surname Bouchard is rooted in the ancient Germanic language, originating from the name Burchard, which combines the words for "fortress" and "brave." This name became popular across medieval France as a symbol of strength and protection. By the mid-seventeenth century, members of the Bouchard family were well-established in Paris, where they participated in the vibrant social and professional life of the capital. Many individuals bearing this name were part of the significant wave of migration to New France during the 1660s, seeking new opportunities in the colonial settlements of North America. These early settlers brought their traditions and skills with them, helping to build the foundations of communities that would eventually stretch across the continent. The name remains a testament to a long history of resilience and movement across borders.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burchard
Derived from the Germanic elements for fort or castle and hardy.
This name
BouchardA surname of Germanic origin signifying a brave or strong protector of the stronghold.
also spelled
Bouchart
Booshar
Related arms
Bouchartvariant spelling
Buchardvariant spelling
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
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille. 1991
Archives nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
