A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouge family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3524 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fascesAuthority joined to unity
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur à une tour d'or, aj. de sa.; aux 2 et 3 gu. à un faisceau des licteurs romains d'arg. A la croix d'arg., br. sur l'écartelé.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bouge Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bouge arms are recorded
The Bouge arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Bouge 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 Bouge Family in France
The family name Bouge has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, particularly within the rugged and culturally distinct region of Brittany. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Bouge family were firmly established in this western province, where they lived during a time of significant social and economic transition under the reign of King Louis XIV. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, which was a common practice for families in medieval and early modern France before the widespread use of formal surnames. Living in Brittany, these early ancestors would have navigated a society shaped by strong local traditions, maritime trade, and the influence of the Catholic Church. As they settled into their communities, the Bouge family became part of the long-standing fabric of French provincial life, contributing to the agricultural and social development of their home region during the seventeenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a 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 fesse sa. three water bougets ar”
LeicesterThurcaston · Leicester, c. 1619
Where the Bouge Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Bouge arms are recorded
The Bouge arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1619.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Bouge 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Bouge Family in England
The family name Bouge has deep roots in the English Midlands, with historical records confirming the presence of the family in Leicester as early as 1619. During this period, the name was often associated with local trade and the agricultural life of the region, as many families of that era were deeply embedded in the parish systems of Leicestershire. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or descriptive nicknames common in medieval England, eventually settling into the spelling recognized today. By the early 17th century, members of the Bouge family were active participants in the social and economic fabric of their community, appearing in local tax records and parish registers. These early documents provide a clear window into how the family established a lasting presence in the English countryside long before the industrial shifts of later centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bulga
A leather bag or wallet made from animal hide.
This name
BougeA nickname for a person who carried a leather bag or a pouch-maker.
also spelled
Boug
Bougee
Buzhay
Boge
Budge
Related arms
Budgevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Pottier, Jean-Loup, Les noms de famille en Bretagne, 1998
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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fascesAuthority joined to unity
cross symbolChristian faith and service
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fascesAuthority joined to unity
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
