A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouche family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5050 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“D'herm. au chev. de gu.”
FlandreFlandre, c. 1663
Where the Bouche Arms Were Recorded
Flandre
Map of France showing where the Bouche arms are recorded
The Bouche arms were recorded in Flandre, c. 1663.
Flandre grew rich on cloth, and its towns were among the busiest in Europe. Merchant families bought land with their profits and took arms to go with it, so trade put as many names in the registers here as land did.
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 Bouche 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 Flandre.
Origin & History of the Bouche Family in France
The surname Bouche originates from the Old French word for mouth, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person who was a loud talker or a glutton. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the northern region of Flandre, a territory known for its complex history of shifting borders between France and the Spanish Netherlands. Records confirm that members of the Bouche family were living in this area by 1663, a time when the region was heavily influenced by the expansionist policies of King Louis XIV. Families in this part of France often worked as merchants or farmers, taking advantage of the busy trade routes that connected northern Europe to the rest of the kingdom. Because the name was common and descriptive, it likely emerged independently in several different locations before becoming a fixed family name in the records of the French administration.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, on a cross sa. five escallops ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bouche Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bouche arms are recorded
The Bouche arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Bouche arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Bouche Family in England
The surname Bouche carries a rich history that likely traces its roots to the Old French word for mouth, which was often used as a descriptive nickname for a person with a prominent feature or a talkative nature. By the time the family appeared in the historical record of York in 1620, the name had already undergone several centuries of evolution as it transitioned from the continent into the English language. Families bearing this name in Northern England were often integrated into the local merchant and trade classes, which were essential to the economic life of a bustling cathedral city like York. During the early seventeenth century, the Bouche family would have navigated a period of significant social change, participating in the civic life of the city while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. Their presence in the parish records of this era suggests they were well-established members of the community who contributed to the growth and development of the region during the Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bucca
Latin term referring to the cheek or mouth.
This name
BoucheA nickname for someone with a prominent mouth or a talkative person.
also spelled
Bouches
Boosh
Bowche
Bouchier
Related arms
Bernard de Bouschetvariant spelling
Bouchiervariant 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
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
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
