A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bourgeau family of France.
Reg. 2736 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un poisson ailé de gu., en bande. C.: un miroir arrondi d'arg., encadré d'azur, orné à l'entour de sept pl. d'aut., trois de gu. et quatre d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Bourgeau arms are recorded
The Bourgeau arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Bourgeau 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 Bourgeau Family in France
The surname Bourgeau finds its roots in the French language, specifically evolving from the Old French word "bourg," which referred to a market town or a fortified settlement. Families carrying this name were historically associated with those who lived in or near these central hubs of trade and community life. By 1725, records confirm that members of the Bourgeau family were well-established in the region of Bretagne. During this period, life in Bretagne was defined by a strong connection to the land and the sea, as the province maintained a unique cultural identity within the French kingdom. Families like the Bourgeaus often played vital roles in the local economy, serving as tradespeople or farmers who helped sustain the growing provincial towns. Their presence in the region during the early 18th century highlights a long history of integration into the social and agricultural fabric of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
burg
A fortified place or castle.
This name
BourgeauDerived from a topographic name for someone living near a fortified settlement.
also spelled
Burgaue
Burgaw
Burgo
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne)
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Mollat, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1953
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fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
