Show ContentsBohar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Bohar

What does the name Bohar mean?

The name Bohar is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Bohar was a name used for a dweller at a cottage or small farm. 1 Alternatively, the name could have been derived from the French word "borde," 'a little house, lodging, or cottage of timber, standing alone in the fields. In Domesday [Book] the occupants of cottages are called bordarii, and amount to 82,119 in number." 2

Early Origins of the Bohar family

The surname Bohar was first found in Sussex, where one of the first records of the family was Andrew Borde or Boorde (1490?-1549), English "traveller and physician, ‘Andreas Parforutus’ as he jocosely calls himself, was born at ‘Boords Hill in Holms dayle,’ near Cuckfield, Sussex, some time before or about 1490, as by 1521 he was appointed suffragan bishop of Chichester, and must have therefore then been thirty years old." 3

Early History of the Bohar family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bohar research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1490 and 1549 are included under the topic Early Bohar History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bohar Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Bohar include Board, Borde, Bord, Boards and others.

Early Notables of the Bohar family

More information is included under the topic Early Bohar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bohar family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Bohar were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: George Board who settled in Virginia in 1639; Jacob Board settled in Virginia in 1663; John Board settled in Virginia in 1774; Thomas Boards settled in Virginia in 1652..



The Bohar 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: Perforatus
Motto Translation: Pierce.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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