A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bourbon family of France.
Reg. 7601 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 trois fleurs-de-lis d'or; au lambel d'arg. en chef; et à la barre de gu., br. sur le tout.”
Francec. 1505
Where the Bourbon Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bourbon arms are recorded
The Bourbon arms were recorded in France, c. 1505.
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.
Louis XII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XII of France
1498–1515
Reigning in France when the Bourbon 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 France.
Origin & History of the Bourbon Family in France
The name Bourbon originates from the House of Bourbon, a noble family that rose to great prominence in the history of France. The name itself is derived from the lordship of Bourbon-l'Archambault, a small town located in the central region of the country. By the early sixteenth century, members of the family had expanded their influence and established a notable presence in the province of Brittany by 1505. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the complex political landscape of the French aristocracy. They maintained strong connections to the royal court while managing their extensive landholdings across different regions. This geographical reach allowed them to build a powerful network that eventually paved the way for their rise to the French throne.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Borvo
A Celtic deity associated with healing thermal springs and bubbling water.
This name
BourbonRefers to the place of the bubbling spring or the house of Borvo.
also spelled
Bourbonn
Bourbons
Bourbonnne
Burbon
Boorbon
Related arms
Evreuxsame arms
Montluçonsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Boucher de Molandon, La maison de Bourbon, 1888
Du Boulay, Histoire de la maison de Bourbon, 1644
Archives Nationales de France, Série K: Monuments historiques, carton 115
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
