A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bould family of England.
Reg. 7416 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. a griffin pass. sa. and a crescent gu. in dexter chief”
ChesterUpton · Chester, c. 1634
Where the Bould Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Bould arms are recorded
The Bould arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1634.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Bould 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Bould Family in England
The family name Bould is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Cheshire, England, where records confirm the presence of family members in the city of Chester as early as 1634. The name itself is considered a topographic surname, likely derived from the Old English word "bold," which referred to a dwelling, a small house, or a hall. During the seventeenth century, families with this name were often associated with the local merchant class and the civic life of growing urban centers like Chester. As the city served as a vital hub for trade and regional administration, the Bould family likely played a role in the social and economic development of the area. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings in parish registers and legal documents, reflecting the phonetic shifts common in early modern English. By establishing themselves in a prominent city like Chester, the early Boulds were part of a stable community that helped shape the local history of the Cheshire region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bold
Old English word meaning brave, confident, or courageous.
This name
BouldA locational surname referring to someone who lived in a dwelling or a bold, courageous person.
also spelled
Bold
Bolde
Related arms
Boldvariant spelling
Boolde, or Bouldvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Cheshire Archives and Local Studies, Bishop’s Transcripts of Chester St Oswald Parish Registers, 1634
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
