A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouligny family of France.
Reg. 0830 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 la bande d'arg., ch. de trois coquilles de sa.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1663
Where the Bouligny Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Bouligny arms are recorded
The Bouligny arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1663.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Bouligny arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Bouligny Family in France
The Bouligny family name traces its origins to the historical region of Lorraine in northeastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, which served as a cultural crossroads between French and Germanic influences. The name itself is thought to be locative, likely derived from a specific place or village within the Lorraine territory. During the seventeenth century, individuals bearing this name were often involved in local administration and military service, reflecting the social mobility common among families of that status during the reign of King Louis XIV. As the family expanded, their presence in Lorraine provided a foundation for later generations to migrate and eventually establish significant ties in other parts of the world, including the French colonial territories in North America.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bologne
Derived from the ancient city of Bologna or a marshy area.
This name
BoulignyA habitational name for someone originating from the region of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
also spelled
Bouliny
Boulignie
Buleeny
Booliny
Buligny
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bouligny, Francisco, Mémoire sur la Louisiane, 1776
Martin, Gaston, Histoire de l'esclavage dans les colonies françaises, 1948
Vidal, Cécile, Caribbean New Orleans: Empire, Race, and the Making of a Slave Society, 2019
Archives départementales de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Archives nationales d'outre-mer, Dépôt des papiers publics des colonies
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
