A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boudier family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5003 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 sa. à trois molettes d'or.”
NormandieNormandie, c. 1663
Where the Boudier Arms Were Recorded
Normandie
Map of France showing where the Boudier arms are recorded
The Boudier arms were recorded in Normandie, c. 1663.
Normandie held a dense crowd of knightly families on some of the best farmland in France. Its men had fought and settled abroad for generations, and a family that sent sons to war needed a shield they could be recognised by.
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 Boudier 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 Normandie.
Origin & History of the Boudier Family in France
The family name Boudier has deep roots in the northern regions of France, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the province of Normandie by the year 1663. The name is considered a patronymic, meaning it likely evolved from a given name or a specific descriptive term used to identify an individual within their local community. During the seventeenth century, families in this region were often tied closely to the land and the local parish system, which served as the primary way to track births, marriages, and deaths. As the Boudier family established themselves in Normandie, they participated in the typical social structures of the era, which included agricultural work and local trade. Over time, the name spread from these northern origins as family members moved across different French provinces, carrying their history and identity with them through generations of record-keeping and community life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 pale az. a crescent ar. betw. two mullets of the first”
EnglandJersey, c. 1620
Where the Boudier Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boudier arms are recorded
The Boudier arms were recorded in Jersey, 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 Boudier 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 Boudier Family in England
The family name Boudier first appears in English historical records during the early seventeenth century, specifically within the city of York. By 1620, members of the Boudier family were established residents in this northern hub, likely drawn to the city by its status as a center for trade and regional administration. While the name itself carries roots that suggest a continental origin, its presence in York indicates that these early ancestors successfully integrated into the local English social fabric. During this period, families in York often lived in close-knit communities near the city walls or the Minster, participating in the daily commerce and civic life that defined the era. The survival of their name in local parish registers and legal documents from the 1600s provides a clear link to a time when England was undergoing significant social and religious change. Through these early records, we can see the Boudier family as part of the diverse population that helped shape the historical character of York.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Baud
Derived from the Germanic element bald meaning bold or brave.
This name
BoudierA patronymic surname indicating a descendant of someone named Baud or Baldwin.
also spelled
Boudyer
Boudiez
Boudy
Boudyear
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Seine-Maritime, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
