A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boult family of France.
Reg. 0292 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Palé d'or et de sa., de quatre pièces.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Boult Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Boult arms are recorded
The Boult arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Boult 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Boult Family in France
The family name Boult traces its roots to the historical region of Franche-Comté, a mountainous area in eastern France that borders Switzerland. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this territory. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname based on local dialects, as was common for families living in rural communities during the seventeenth century. During this period, the people of Franche-Comté lived under a unique blend of cultural influences due to the region's shifting political status between the Spanish Habsburgs and the French Crown. Families like the Boults often worked in agriculture or local trades, contributing to the small village life that defined the foothills of the Jura Mountains. Over time, the family name became a permanent marker of their heritage in this rugged landscape, reflecting a history deeply tied to the land and the distinct traditions of the Comtois people.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
boule
A rounded object, ball, or tree trunk.
This name
BoultRefers to someone who lived near a prominent tree or a rounded topographical feature.
also spelled
Bould
Bolt
Boolt
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, État civil et registres paroissiaux de Franche-Comté
Benoit, Laurence, Histoire de la Franche-Comté, 1996
Gauthier, Jean, Dictionnaire des familles de Franche-Comté, 1974
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
