A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bouvy family of Netherlands.
Reg. 9312 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“De gu. au chev. d'or, acc. en chef de deux étoiles (6) penchées du même et en p. d'une rose à quatre feuilles d'arg. Brl. de gu. et d'or. C.: un griffon iss. au nat. L. d'or et de gu.”
NetherlandsDordrecht, c. 1815
Where the Bouvy Arms Were Recorded
Dordrecht
Map of Netherlands showing where the Bouvy arms are recorded
The Bouvy arms were recorded in Dordrecht, c. 1815.
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.
Region
Dordrecht
Town
Dordrecht
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Bouvy Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Bouvy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Bouvy Family in Netherlands
The family name Bouvy has deep roots connected to the historical development of the Netherlands, particularly within the city of Dordrecht. By 1815, members of the Bouvy family were already established as active participants in the local economy and social life of this important trading hub. The name itself is thought to have origins linked to the French-speaking regions of Europe, likely migrating north as families moved to follow new business opportunities or changing political borders. During the early nineteenth century, Dordrecht served as a vital center for commerce and shipping, which provided a stable environment for families like the Bouvys to grow and integrate into the Dutch professional class. As they settled into the region, they became part of the local fabric, contributing to the city's long history as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bove
Old French term meaning ox or bull.
This name
BouvyA topographic or occupational surname referring to someone who kept or worked with oxen.
also spelled
Bouvie
Bovee
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
