A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boyes family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7961 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. on a chev. betw. three lions' heads erased or, three towers of the field on a chief barry of six wavy of the first, and ar. an anchor betw. two frets of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Boyes Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Boyes arms are recorded
The Boyes 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 Boyes 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 Boyes Family in England
The surname Boyes has deep roots in northern England, particularly within the historic city of York. By the early seventeenth century, the name was well established among the local population, appearing in official records as early as 1620. The name itself is likely derived from the Old French word bois, which means wood or forest. This suggests that the earliest ancestors to carry the name may have been people who lived near a wooded area or worked as foresters. As families settled in York, they became part of the vibrant social and economic life of a city that served as a major hub for trade and administration. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings in parish registers and legal documents, reflecting the way names were recorded by clerks who wrote them down based on how they sounded. These early Boyes families were part of the steady growth of English society, helping to shape the local identity of the region during a period of significant historical change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a saltire and chief az”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Boyes Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Boyes arms are recorded
The Boyes 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 England when the Boyes 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 Boyes Family in Scotland
The surname Boyes has deep roots in Scotland, where it likely originated as a descriptive name for a young man or a servant. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the capital city of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Boyes family were active participants in the urban life of the city during a time of significant social and economic change. As Edinburgh grew into a center for the Scottish Enlightenment, families like the Boyes were often involved in the trades, legal professions, or the expanding mercantile networks that connected Scotland to the wider world. While the name appears in various spellings across historical documents, its steady presence in the capital suggests that the family was well-integrated into the local community and contributed to the development of the city during this formative era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bois
Old French word meaning wood or forest.
This name
BoyesA topographic name for someone who lived near a wood or forest.
also spelled
Boyse
Bois
Related arms
Boisvariant spelling
Boyce, or Boysevariant spelling
Boysvariant spelling
Boysevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
The National Archives, Lay Subsidy Rolls for the County of York
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
fretPersuasion, and the net that holds
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
