A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouchet family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0349 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 deux cornes d'abondance renv. d'arg., posées en chev. et acc. de trois têtes de léopard d'arg.; au chef du même.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1568
Where the Bouchet Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Bouchet arms are recorded
The Bouchet arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1568.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his 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.
Charles IX of France
Sovereign of the period
Charles IX of France
1560–1574
Reigning in France when the Bouchet 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Bouchet Family in France
The surname Bouchet has deep roots in the French landscape, emerging as a descriptive name linked to the geography and daily life of the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "bouche," which often referred to a thicket, a wooded area, or a small mouth of a river. Families who took this name likely lived near these distinct natural landmarks. By 1568, historical records confirm that members of the Bouchet family were well-established in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. This area was a vital crossroads of European culture and politics, and families living there were often involved in local agriculture or trade. Over time, the name spread from these rural origins into the broader social fabric of France, reflecting the movement and growth of the population during the late Renaissance.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
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 gu. au léopard naturel ramp., soutenu d'une terrasse rocheuse d'arg. Cq. cour. C.: un bras arm., brandissant une épée, le tout au nat. L. d'or et de gu. (chet.)”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Bouchet Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Bouchet arms are recorded
The Bouchet 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 France when the Bouchet 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 Bouchet Family in Germany
The family name Bouchet carries a distinct history that reflects the movement of people across European borders during the eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with French origins, historical records confirm that members of the Bouchet family were established in the region of Bavaria by 1765. During this era, Bavaria was a center of trade and agricultural development, and families often migrated to these lands to take advantage of new economic opportunities or to serve in local administrative roles. The presence of the name in German records suggests that these individuals integrated into the local society while maintaining their unique family identity. This transition highlights how surnames traveled alongside families as they sought stability and growth in new territories. By settling in Bavaria, the early Bouchet family members became part of the complex social fabric of the Holy Roman Empire, contributing to the local community as they established their roots in a changing landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bouche
A French term referring to a mouth or an opening.
This name
BouchetA topographic name for someone living near a mouth of a river or a narrow passage.
also spelled
Bouchay
Bouché
Bushey
Bushe
Related arms
Bouchevariant 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 départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions (Records of the Duchy of Lorraine)
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
