A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bourcier family of France.
Reg. 7392 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
columnFortitude and constancy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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 une colonne d'arg., soutenue de deux lions affr. d'or.”
LanguedocLanguedoc, c. 1663
Where the Bourcier Arms Were Recorded
Languedoc
Map of France showing where the Bourcier arms are recorded
The Bourcier arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Bourcier 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Bourcier Family in France
The family name Bourcier originates from the French word "bourse," which historically referred to a purse or a small bag. In medieval France, this name was often used as an occupational surname for someone who made leather pouches or handled money, such as a merchant or a treasurer. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Bourcier family were well-established in the Languedoc region of southern France. This area was a hub of trade and agricultural activity, providing a stable environment for families to grow and settle. Over time, the name spread from these local roots as family members moved across different provinces, carrying their history and trade traditions with them through the generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bourse
A leather bag or purse used for carrying money.
This name
BourcierAn occupational name for a purse maker or a merchant who handled money.
also spelled
Bourcyer
Bursier
Burcier
Related arms
Bonjusimilar arms
Boujusimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la province de Languedoc, 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
columnFortitude and constancy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
columnFortitude and constancy
lionCourage, strength and royalty
