Map of France showing where the Bui arms are recorded
The Bui arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's own.
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 Bui 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Bui Family in France
The family name Bui has deep roots in the historical province of Forez, located in central France. Records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this region by 1663. During the seventeenth century, Forez was a landscape defined by its rolling hills and a strong connection to the local land. Families like the Buis often lived in small rural communities where they contributed to the agricultural and social life of the area. Because the name is short and distinct, it likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific local landmark that has since faded from common use. By settling in Forez, the early members of this family became part of the long-standing traditions and regional identity that shaped this part of France for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buis
Derived from the Old French word for the boxwood shrub.
This name
BuiA topographic name for someone who lived near a boxwood tree or thicket.
also spelled
Bui
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Loire, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Saint-Étienne, 1663
Gonon, Marguerite, La vie quotidienne en Forez au XVIIe siècle, 1960
Relave, Abbé, Notes historiques sur le Forez, 1885
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
