A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bussard family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8547 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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'or à trois fasces entées de gu.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Bussard Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Bussard arms are recorded
The Bussard arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Bussard 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Bussard Family in France
The family name Bussard has deep roots in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. This area, nestled near the Jura Mountains and the border of modern-day Switzerland, was a place of significant cultural exchange and historical transition during the seventeenth century. The name itself is thought to be derived from the Old French word "bussard," which referred to a type of bird of prey, specifically the buzzard. In the rural society of the time, names were often linked to local wildlife or the surrounding landscape, suggesting that the early Bussards were likely connected to the agricultural life of the region. As inhabitants of Franche-Comté, the family lived through a period when the territory shifted from Spanish control to French rule, a change that deeply influenced the social and administrative records of the era. These early ancestors were part of a resilient community that maintained strong ties to their local parishes and land, establishing a legacy that would eventually spread far beyond the borders of their home province.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. three covered cups ar”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bussard Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bussard arms are recorded
The Bussard 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 France when the Bussard 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 Bussard Family in England
The Bussard family name has deep roots in the historical landscape of Northern England, with documented evidence placing members of the family in the city of York by the year 1620. During this period, York served as a vital regional hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early ancestors were likely integrated into the urban life of the city. The name itself is thought to be occupational or descriptive in origin, reflecting the common medieval practice of identifying individuals by their trade or a distinct personal trait. As the family established themselves in Yorkshire, they lived through a time of significant social and political transition in England. Their presence in such a prominent city indicates that they were part of the local fabric during the early seventeenth century, contributing to the growth and development of the region before many families began to migrate further across the British Isles or toward the American colonies.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Buxus
Latin term for the boxwood tree or shrub.
This name
BussardA topographic name for someone who lived near a grove of boxwood trees.
also spelled
Busard
Busiard
Bussart
Related arms
Busiardvariant spelling
Busserardevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Registres paroissiaux de la commune de Besançon, 1663
Bouchard, Gérard, Quelques arpents d'Amérique: Population et économie du peuplement français au Canada, 1996
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cupFaith, office, and a trust discharged
