A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bournonville family of France.
Reg. 0273 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 de sa. au lion d'arg., arm., lamp. et cour. d'or (Bournonville); aux 2 et 3 de gu., au chef d'herm. (Selles). — Plus tard: Ec.: au 1 de gu., au chef d'herm.; au 2 d'or à trois hures de sanglier de sa.; au 3 d'or semé de bill. d'azur, au lion de gu., br. sur le tout; au 4 de gu. à la bande d'or, ch. de trois tourt. du champ. Sur le tout de sa. au lion d'arg., arm., lamp. et cour. d'or.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Bournonville arms are recorded
The Bournonville 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 Bournonville 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 Bournonville Family in France
The family name Bournonville originates from the northern regions of France, where it was traditionally linked to land ownership and local governance. The name itself is topographical, likely derived from a combination of words signifying a settlement or a small village located near a stream or a spring. By the early eighteenth century, members of the family had established a presence in the province of Bretagne, specifically by 1725. During this era, families often moved across French provinces to pursue opportunities in trade, agriculture, or service to the local nobility. As the family settled into life in Bretagne, they integrated into the regional social structure while maintaining the linguistic roots of their northern heritage. This migration pattern reflects the broader movement of families across France during the eighteenth century as they sought to build new lives in different administrative districts.
Bournonville Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Borne
A boundary marker or a stone used to mark limits.
This name
BournonvilleRefers to a settlement or estate located near a boundary marker or stone.
also spelled
Bournonvil
Bournonvylle
Boornonvil
Bournon
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
Morvan, Françoise. Bretagne est l'univers. 2008
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
