Map of France showing where the Boyles arms are recorded
The Boyles arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Boyles 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 Boyles Family in France
The family name Boyles has deep roots tied to the rugged landscape of Bretagne, where records confirm members of the lineage were established by 1663. During this period, the region was a distinct cultural hub within France, and families living there were often deeply connected to the local agricultural and maritime traditions of the Atlantic coast. The name likely evolved as a way to identify individuals based on their specific trade, their physical traits, or the unique geography of the lands they farmed. As these early ancestors navigated life in the seventeenth century, they were part of a society defined by strong community bonds and the preservation of ancient regional customs. Over time, the name traveled beyond the borders of Bretagne, carrying the history of its origins into new regions and eventually across the sea.
Boyles Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bois
A French term referring to a wood or forest.
This name
BoylesA topographical surname for someone who lived near or worked in a forest.
also spelled
Boylesq
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne)
Gautier, Alain, Histoire de la Bretagne, 2010
Le Gall, Jean-Marie, Les Bretons et la mer, 2005
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
saltire coupedResolution, and the cross of St Andrew
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
