A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouffard family of Netherlands.
Reg. 3596 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
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 au chev. d'arg., acc. en chef de deux croiss. du même et en p. d'une colombe aussi d'arg., le vol levé, tenant en son bec un rameau d'olivier de sin.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
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Map of Netherlands showing where the Bouffard arms are recorded
The Bouffard arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry 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.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Bouffard Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Bouffard arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Bouffard Family in Netherlands
The surname Bouffard carries deep roots that reflect the movement of families across European borders during the early nineteenth century. While the name is often associated with French origins, historical records confirm that members of the Bouffard family were established in the region of Friesland by 1815. During this period, Friesland was experiencing significant political shifts following the Napoleonic Wars, which often prompted families to settle in new territories for trade or agricultural opportunities. The presence of the name in this northern coastal region suggests that the family likely integrated into the local community through professional roles such as farming or maritime commerce. By maintaining their identity while adapting to the unique culture of the Frisian people, these early ancestors helped establish the name in a new geographical context that differed greatly from its southern linguistic roots.
Bouffard Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Buffard
Derived from the Old French word for a toad or puffing creature.
This name
BouffardA nickname for a person with a puffed-up appearance or a boastful personality.
also spelled
Bouffart de Madiane
Bouffarde de Madiane
Bouffar de Madiane
Bufar de Madian
Bouffard
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Center), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland) 1811–1950
Netherlands National Archives, Bevolkingsregisters (Population Registers) 1811–1860
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
dovePeace, love and the Holy Spirit
