A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bourdon family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2047 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 un bourdon de pélerin d'or, ch. d'une coquille d'arg. et accosté de deux étoiles du sec.”
FranceParis, c. 1663
Where the Bourdon Arms Were Recorded
Paris
Map of France showing where the Bourdon arms are recorded
The Bourdon arms were recorded in Paris, c. 1663.
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 Bourdon 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 Bourdon Family in France
The surname Bourdon has deep roots in the French language, originating as a descriptive nickname derived from the Old French word for a pilgrim’s staff or a buzzing insect. By the time members of the family were documented living in Paris in 1663, the name was already well-established across various regions of the country. During this era, the Bourdon family was part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and professional landscape of the French capital. Many individuals carrying this name worked in skilled trades or served in administrative roles, reflecting the industrious nature of families living in seventeenth-century France. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local parish life of Paris, leaving behind records of baptisms and marriages that highlight their daily existence during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a mound or, crossed gu. betw. two bourdon staves (i.e., battle-axes) paleways ppr”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Bourdon Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bourdon arms are recorded
The Bourdon arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in France when the Bourdon arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Bourdon Family in Scotland
The name Bourdon has deep roots that trace back to the bustling streets of Edinburgh by the middle of the eighteenth century. While the name is often associated with French origins, its presence in Scotland suggests that individuals bearing this surname were integrated into the urban life of the capital city as early as 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a center of rapid growth and intellectual change known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Families with this name likely participated in the local trade and professional networks that defined the city at that time. By establishing themselves in such a prominent location, these early Bourdons became part of the diverse social fabric of Scotland. Their history reflects the movement of people across borders and their subsequent adaptation to the unique cultural landscape of the Scottish Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bourdon
A drone, a buzzing sound, or a pilgrim's staff.
This name
BourdonOriginally a nickname for a person who hummed, played a drone instrument, or carried a staff.
also spelled
Bourdons
Bourdo
Burdon
Bordon
Bourden
Related arms
Bosredonsame arms
Abrenethéesimilar arms
Cassal de Bomalsimilar arms
Bourdenvariant spelling
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 Nationales de France, Minutier central des notaires de Paris, Series Y
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escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
axeThe execution of military duty
