Show ContentsBoussard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Boussard is derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the German elements "bos," which meant "audacious," and "hard," which meant "hardy" or "brave." Thus, the name no doubt originally referred to a person who was very tough or one who was inclined to fight. Some instances of the Boussard surname are derived from the personal name Burkhart, and the German word boese, which meant "naughty" and "tough."

Early Origins of the Boussard family

The surname Boussard was first found in Westphalia, where the name Bossart became noted for its many branches within the region, where each house acquired a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the Bossart family became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility.

Early History of the Boussard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boussard research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1538, 1539 and 1746 are included under the topic Early Boussard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boussard Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Boussard include Bossart, Bosart, Bosarte, Bossarte, Bossard, Bossardt, Bosard, Bosardt, Bossarde, Bosarde and many more.

Early Notables of the Boussard family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boussard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boussard Ranking

In France, the name Boussard is the 2,123rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,983 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Boussard family

For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: Jean Bossard arrived in Virginia with his wife and 3 children in 1700; Balthasar Bossart, age 30, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1735; Barbara Bossart settled in Carolina in 1738.


Contemporary Notables of the name Boussard (post 1700) +

  • William Thomas Boussard, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 2012 2
  • Sandy Jones Boussard, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 2012 2
  • Jean-Baptiste Boussard, French Brigadier General during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1789 to 1815 3


  1. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. Generals Who Served in the French Army during the Period 1789-1815. (Retrieved 2015, February 11) Jean-Baptiste Boussard. Retrieved from http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/c_frenchgenerals.html


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