Map of France showing where the Buch arms are recorded
The Buch arms were recorded in France, c. 1364.
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.
John II of France
Sovereign of the period
John II of France
1350–1364
Reigning in France when the Buch 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 Buch Family in France
The family name Buch has deep roots in the historical landscape of France, with documented evidence placing its members in the region of Bretagne as early as 1364. During this period, the name was closely associated with the social and political shifts occurring in the Duchy of Brittany. Families of this era often derived their names from the local landscape or specific occupations, and the name Buch likely reflects the linguistic blend of the region, where French, Breton, and Germanic influences frequently overlapped. By the late 14th century, individuals bearing this name were integrated into the local administrative and social structures of the Breton territory. Their presence in 1364 suggests they were part of the established population during a time of significant conflict and transition in French history. Over the following centuries, the family name persisted as a marker of lineage within these rural and urban communities, gradually spreading from its Breton origins into other parts of the French kingdom.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. au lion de gu. Cq. cour. C.: un cheval iss. d'arg. (quelquefois bridé de sa.)”
MecklenburgMecklenburg, c. 1765
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Map of Germany showing where the Buch arms are recorded
The Buch arms were recorded in Mecklenburg, c. 1765.
Mecklenburg was farming country in the north of Germany, held by a small number of families who kept their estates for generations. Owning land was what entitled a family to arms, so a great many Mecklenburg names ended up in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in France when the Buch arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Mecklenburg.
Origin & History of the Buch Family in Germany
The family name Buch is deeply rooted in the German language, as the word itself translates to beech tree. In the Middle Ages, many families adopted surnames based on the natural landscape surrounding their homes, and those living near a prominent beech forest or a specific landmark known as the Buch were often identified by this name. By the eighteenth century, the name was well-established across various German regions, including the northern territory of Mecklenburg. Records confirm that members of the Buch family were living in Mecklenburg by 1765, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local village structures of the time. These early ancestors were part of a society where one’s identity was closely tied to the land and the specific community where they resided. As the family grew and moved, the name traveled with them, serving as a linguistic link to the forests and geography of their ancestral German homeland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Palé d'arg. et de gu.; au chef de sa. C.: un demi-vol aux armes de l'écu. L. d'arg. et de gu.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Buch arms are recorded
The Buch arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Buch Family in Switzerland
The family name Buch has deep roots in the Swiss landscape, reflecting a long history tied to the geography of the region. In the German language, the word "Buch" translates to beech tree, which suggests that early ancestors likely lived near a prominent forest or a landmark defined by these specific trees. By the year 1745, records confirm that the family was well-established in the city of Bern. During this period, Bern was a powerful center of trade and politics, and families living there were often integrated into the local guild systems or agricultural networks that supported the city. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the Canton of Bern, contributing to the development of the region through their work and community involvement. This early presence in such a significant Swiss city highlights the family's long-standing connection to the cultural and historical evolution of the Swiss Confederation.
Buch Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
buche
Old French term for a log, stump, or piece of wood.
This name
BuchA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent tree stump or a wooded area.
also spelled
Buck
Buh
Book
Related arms
Buckvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Dom Morice, Mémoires pour servir de preuves à l'histoire ecclésiastique et civile de Bretagne, 1742
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Fonds de la famille de Bretagne, Series E
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
cross symbolChristian faith and service
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
