A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boulet family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“d'or. S.: deux lévriers, au nat.”
The Boulet 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 Boulet 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 surname Boulet is deeply rooted in the traditions of medieval France, where it originated as a descriptive nickname. The name is derived from the Old French word "boule," which referred to a round object or a ball. In a historical context, this name was often given to individuals who were stout in stature or perhaps to those who worked with round materials in a trade. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family established a notable presence in the region of Bretagne. Records confirm that members of the Boulet family were living in this coastal province by 1663, where they participated in the local agricultural and social life of the era. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of Breton society, contributing to the distinct cultural history of western France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyaltyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Coupé: au 1 d'arg. à l'aigle iss. de sa., bq. d'or, sommée d'une couronne royale d'or; au 2 d'azur au lévrier d'or, coll. du même, couché sur une terrasse de sin. L'écu bordé d'or. Cq. cour. C.: trois pl. d'aut.: d'azur, d'arg. et de gu. L.: d'arg. et d'azur.”
The Boulet arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in 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 Germany in this period.
Reigning in France when the Boulet arms are first recorded.
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
The family name Boulet carries a history rooted in the movement of people across European borders during the eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with French origins, records confirm that members of the Boulet family were established in the region of Bavaria by 1765. During this era, Bavaria was a center of agricultural and craft production, and families like the Boulets often settled in these areas to work as skilled laborers or tradespeople. Their presence in southern Germany suggests a history of migration, likely driven by the search for new economic opportunities or the shifting political boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire. By integrating into the local Bavarian community, these early family members helped shape the demographic landscape of the region, leaving behind a legacy that persists in local administrative and church records from that period.
A round object, ball, or sphere derived from Old French.
