A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boyland family of England.
Reg. 0589 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a saltire engr. or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Where the Boyland Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Boyland arms are recorded
The Boyland arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Boyland 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Boyland Family in England
The surname Boyland is deeply rooted in the landscape of East Anglia, particularly within the county of Norfolk. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of this region by the early seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be locational in origin, likely derived from a specific place or manor known as Boyland located near the village of Morningthorpe. During the medieval and early modern periods, families often took their names from the lands they inhabited or managed. By 1620, the Boylands were part of the local social fabric of Norfolk, living through a time of significant agricultural and economic change in rural England. Their presence in the area reflects the common practice of families remaining tied to their ancestral geography for many generations, contributing to the local community as farmers and landowners.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bolla
Old Norse nickname meaning a round or swollen object.
This name
BoylandRefers to a person living on or near land associated with a man named Bolla.
also spelled
Boylend
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blomefield, Francis. An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk. 1805
Norfolk Record Office. Parish registers for Morningthorpe, 1558–1700. PD 336
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
