THE BOLEAT GENEALOGICAL STUDY
The Boleat Genealogy Study is essentially a one-name study of people born with the name Boleat. Abut 660 such people have been identified. Most belong to a single family originating in Plufur in inland Brittany and spreading to Jersey in the 1870s and to the rest of France a little later.
Variants of the name
The name is sometimes spelt with an acute accent on the e, Boléat as opposed to Boleat, but this seems primarily a matter of choice rather than a variation of the name.
A small proportion of the records refer to Bolleat rather than Boleat. The name Bolleat is used today by some of the family. Some of the early records also show the name as Le Boleat.
Origin of the name
The name Boleat is Breton for ringer of bells.
Frequency and distribution
Three separate families have been identified in Brittany, although they may be related and are fairly close geographically. The approximate numbers identified for each branch are
| Plufur | 540 |
| Brélévenez | 80 |
| Garlan | 40 |
| Total | 660 |
In addition a separate family with about 15 Boleats existed in the Rhône-Alpes, around Bourg-en-Bresse, between 1550 and 1730.
Two brothers from the Plufur branch moved to Jersey in around 1875 and about 50 of the 540 identified members of the Plufur branch have been born in Jersey, and a further four, descended from one of the brothers, in Australia. More generally, the family that originated in Plufur is now widespread throughout France. In Brittany, the main concentration has moved to Brest.
There are no surviving Boleats from the other families although there are descendants of the female line.
Historical occurrence
Until the late 19th century the Boleat family were manual workers, mainly in agriculture. There were exceptions. Gabriel and Claude Boleat, sons of Jean Boleat born in Guerlesquin in 1802, were clergymen. Another brother, Jean Boleat, was awarded the Military Model for service in Mexico in 1862. Jules Boleat, probably a nephew of the brothers, became a Professor at the Petit-Séminaire Pont Croix, near Quimper.
The separate Boleat family in the Rhone-Alpes, almost certainly unconnected with the Plufur family, was more distinguished, occupying public office in the Duchy of Savoy.
Data
The main sources for the data have been the online records of the genealogical associations of Finistère and Côtes dArmor.
The data for Jersey has largely been obtained through personal contact together with the use of census data.
The date for the Rhône-Alpes has been obtained from the genealogical records for Ain.
DNA Study
A DNA test suggests that the Boleat family originated in Turkey, migration to Europe occurring about 5,000 years ago.
Detailed study
The key data on the Boleat family has been brought together in a study The Boleat Family 1560-1910.
Additional data
The searchable database is available on the Geneanet website. The full Boleat family tree, covering births before 1912, is available separately in pdf format. In addition a separate pdf file shows the Descendants of Yvon Boleat, born in 1612, who is believed to be the direct ancestor of all Boleats alive today.
Related study
The two Boleat brothers who migrated to Jersey in the late 19th century were part of a large migration that played a significant role in the economic and social development of that Island. This is covered in detail in the author's paper Jersey's population - a History.
Links
The Genealogical Society of Finistère
The Genealogical Association of the Côtes dArmor
Contact details
Mark Boleat
London, England