Bois Coat of Arms, Crest and Name Facts

Bois is a French surname. The usual explanation, from Elsdon Smith, is “dweller near, or in, a wood”.

Where the name comes from

Landscape names of this kind told neighbours where a family's house stood. Smith also lists Boys and Boyes.

According to the 2010 US Census, the Bois surname had 802 bearers. That puts it among the top 50,000 US surnames. From 1891 to 2000, 10,205 births in France were registered under Bois. Births ran at 488 in 1891–1900 and 871 in 1991–2000.

Family crest and blazon

There is no single Bois family crest for all bearers; the honest first step is to find out which Bois line, if any, bore arms.

Research your Bois family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.