A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boul family of Netherlands.
Reg. 1501 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
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 à une jeune fille, la poitrine nue, hab. d'une robe rayée d'arg. et d'azur, les manches d'arg., tenant de sa main dextre une tige de rosier fleurie de trois pièces d'arg., la main sen. posée sur sa hanche.”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Boul Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Boul arms are recorded
The Boul 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 Boul 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 Boul 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 Boul Family in Netherlands
The family name Boul is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Friesland, a northern province of the Netherlands known for its distinct culture and maritime traditions. By 1815, records confirm that members of the Boul family were firmly established within this region, a time when the Netherlands was undergoing significant political shifts following the end of the Napoleonic era. During this period, the implementation of the Civil Registry required families to formally register their surnames, which helped solidify the spelling and lineage of the Boul name. Given the linguistic patterns of the area, the name likely evolved from local dialects or occupational descriptions common to Frisian society. These early ancestors were part of a resilient community that navigated the transition from local rule to the newly formed Kingdom of the Netherlands, leaving behind a legacy that remains tied to the unique heritage of the Frisian people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Boudewijn
Derived from Germanic elements meaning bold or brave friend.
This name
BoulA patronymic or shortened form originating from the Germanic given name Baldwin.
also spelled
Boule
Boull
Boullé
Bool
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Tresoar (Fries Historisch en Letterkundig Centrum), Burgerlijke Stand van Friesland (Civil Registry of Friesland), 1811–1950
H.K. Schippers, De invoering van de burgerlijke stand in Nederland, 1985
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
womanGrace, and the founding of a house
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
