Boduin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France

The name Boduin originated during the Dark Ages in France, in that southern region known as Languedoc. This family name is derived from the Germanic personal name Baldwin, which is composed of the elements "bald", which means bold or brave, and "wine", which means friend.

Early Origins of the Boduin family

The surname Boduin was first found in Brittany where the family held a family seat from ancient times.

By the 1400's they had branched into Maine where they spelt their name Beaudouin, and to Lorraine where they established their seat at Bozières and appear in the census lists in 1490, 1571 and 1710. During the 16th century they branched to Dauphiné and founded another branch in Lorraine where they held a family seat in 1542. In 1696, the family were confirmed in their nobility as Lords of Brittany with letters of patent, and a heraldic cap of nobility added to their coat of arms.

Jean Beaudoin, born in 1638, travelled from Tasdon, France to Montreal, Quebec. He was a member of the Seventh Squad of the Sainte-Famille Militia and was involved in several battles. Jean married Charlotte Chavin on 27th November 1663 and passed away in 1713. He was buried at Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec and has many descendants in Canada. 1

"Four Baudoins are at all events enumerated in the great gathering of the Ordre de Noblesse of the province in 1789; De Baudoin, Seigneur d'Avenel; De Baudoin, Seigneur du fief des Pins; Baudoin d'Espins; and Baudoin de Gouzeville." 2

Early History of the Boduin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boduin research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1490, 1542, 1571, 1645, 1662, 1677, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1689, 1691, 1696, 1698, 1700, 1710, 1752 and 1768 are included under the topic Early Boduin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boduin Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Boduin is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Beaudoin, Beaudoins, Beaudouin, Beauduin, Beauduoin, Beaudiun, Beauddoin, Beauddoins, Beauddouin, Beaudduin, Beaudduoin, Beauddiun, Bodoin, Bodoins, Bodouin, Boduin, Boduoin, Bodiun, Boddoin, Boddoyn, Boddoins, Boddouin, Bodduin, Bodduoin, Boddiun, Baudoin, Baudoins, Baudouin, Bauduoin, Baudiun, Bauddoin, Bauddoins, Bauddouin, Baudduin, Baudduoin, Bauddiun, Beudoin, Beudoins, Beudouin, Beuduin, Beuduoin, Beudiun, Beuddoin, Beuddoins and many more.

Early Notables of the Boduin family

Notable amongst this name at this time was Jean Baudoin (1662-1698), born in Nantes, France, he was ordained a priest in 1685 and traveled to New France in 1687 where he was pastor of Beaubassin in 1689. Gervais Baudouin (c. 1645 - 1700) was a French surgeon who emigrated to New...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boduin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Boduin family

In 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Boduin has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Boduin were Edward Baudoin, aged 17; who settled in New Orleans in 1823; Elsia Baudoin, aged 9; who settled in New Orleans in 1823; M. Baudoin, aged 45; who settled in New Orleans in 1825.

The Boduin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ubi crux, Ibi patria
Motto Translation: Where there is a cross, there is a country.

Citations +

Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3