A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boyce family of England.
Reg. 5341 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. on a bend sa. three cinquefoils or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Boyce Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boyce arms are recorded
The Boyce arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Boyce arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Boyce Family in England
The surname Boyce has roots that stretch back to the medieval period in England and France. It is generally considered a topographic name, which means it was used to describe someone who lived near a wooded area or a thicket. The name comes from the Old French word bois, meaning wood. By the time the family was established in York in 1620, the name had already been in use for several centuries across different regions. Families with this name often worked in trades related to the land or local commerce within the bustling city of York. As the family grew, they became part of the local community, leaving records in parish registers and legal documents that track their lives through the seventeenth century. These early members helped shape the history of the region by participating in the daily social and economic life of Northern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bois
Old French word meaning wood or forest.
This name
BoyceA habitational name for someone who lived near a woodland or forest.
also spelled
Boice
Boyse
Boyes
Related arms
Boyesvariant spelling
Boysevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Archives: Parish Registers of York, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
