A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bougie family of France.
anchorHope, and steadfastness in troubleJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“De sin. à une ancre d'arg.”
The Bougie 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.
Reigning in France when the Bougie arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Bougie traces its roots to the historic region of Bretagne in northwestern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this coastal area, which was known for its distinct Celtic heritage and maritime traditions. The name itself likely evolved from local linguistic roots, possibly relating to the trade of candles or wax, as the word bougie is the French term for a candle. Families in this region during the seventeenth century often lived in small rural parishes, where they worked as farmers or artisans. As the family grew, their presence in Bretagne helped shape their identity before some members eventually traveled across the Atlantic to build new lives in North America. This early history reflects the typical movement of families who maintained deep ties to their local communities while navigating the changing social landscape of seventeenth-century France.
Old French term referring to a small bag or pouch.
