A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boughan family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5912 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Sa. three garbs or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Boughan Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boughan arms are recorded
The Boughan 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 England when the Boughan 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 Boughan Family in England
The Boughan family name has deep roots in the northern regions of England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital center for trade and religious administration, drawing families into its bustling urban landscape. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or topographical descriptions common in the Yorkshire area, where families were often identified by the specific land they farmed or the local landmarks near their homes. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Boughans became part of the growing merchant and artisan classes that defined the social fabric of northern English towns. By settling in York, these early ancestors participated in the transition from medieval village life to the more structured urban society that characterized England during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
Colours
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)
“and ar. in the beak or, a snake ppr”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Boughan Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Boughan arms are recorded
The Boughan arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Boughan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Boughan Family in Ireland
The family name Boughan has roots that stretch back into the complex social landscape of seventeenth-century Ireland. Records confirm that members of the Boughan family were established in Dublin by 1645, a time when the city was a major center for political and economic change. During this era, families with this surname were often part of the growing urban population that navigated the shifting power structures of the mid-1600s. Because Dublin served as the primary hub for administration and trade, the presence of the Boughan name in the capital suggests the family was integrated into the city’s developing merchant or professional classes. Over the following decades, the name became associated with the local history of the region as the family adapted to the various social and religious transitions that defined life in Ireland during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boch
Old English term for a beech tree or a boundary marker.
This name
BoughanA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent beech tree or forest.
also spelled
Baughan
Bohan
Boughon
Related arms
Bowghen, Bowhen, or Bowheynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Baines, Edward. History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York. 1822
The National Archives. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Wills and Administrations. PROB 11
York City Archives. York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
serpentWisdom, healing and prudence
