A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bailleul family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6890 · Belgian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
vairProtection, and the winter fur
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De vair à deux chev. de gu.”
BelgiumTournaisis, c. 1737
Where the Bailleul Arms Were Recorded
Tournaisis
Map of Belgium showing where the Bailleul arms are recorded
The Bailleul arms were recorded in Tournaisis, c. 1737.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Belgium in this period.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Belgium when the Bailleul arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Belgium
In Belgium, a coat of arms is considered personal property that is passed down through the male line to legitimate descendants. Families often use the same shield design across generations to show their shared heritage. If a branch of the family wants to change the design, they must apply for an official update to their specific version of the arms.
Granting authority
The Conseil héraldique is the official body that regulates and approves all coats of arms in Belgium.
How they got arms
Families obtain their coats of arms through formal royal grants or by confirming their historical right to use existing designs.
Where arms were recorded
All approved coats of arms are officially recorded in the public registers of the Conseil héraldique since 1844.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Belgium.
Origin & History of the Bailleul Family in Belgium
The family name Bailleul is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of the Tournaisis region in present-day Belgium. By the early eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area, particularly by 1737. The name itself is topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "bailleul," which referred to a fortified enclosure or a palisaded village. This suggests that the family’s earliest ancestors were likely associated with the defense or administration of such settlements during the medieval period. As the family settled into the rural and urban life of the Tournaisis, they became integrated into the local social fabric, transitioning from their ancient origins into the documented history of the region. Their presence in this part of the Low Countries reflects the broader movement of families who took their names from the specific landscapes they inhabited and helped to shape over many generations.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à la bande de gu. Cq. cour. C.: une tête et col de licorne d'arg., entre un vol-banneret du même, chaque aile ch. d'une bande de gu.”
Francec. 1614
Where the Bailleul Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bailleul arms are recorded
The Bailleul arms were recorded in France, c. 1614.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1610–1617
Reigning in Belgium when the Bailleul arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Bailleul Family in France
The family name Bailleul originates from the northern regions of France, where it was historically associated with several towns bearing the same name. The name itself is derived from the Old French word *bailleul*, which referred to a fortified enclosure or a palisade. During the medieval period, families often adopted these place names to signify their ties to specific lands or administrative duties within a lord’s territory. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the region of Brittany, as evidenced by records dating back to 1614. This migration from the north to the western coast of France reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in trade and local governance during the transition into the early modern era. These early ancestors were likely part of the provincial middle class, contributing to the local social structure through their participation in parish life and regional legal matters.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
balla
A Germanic term referring to a rounded object or hill.
This name
BailleulA topographic name for someone who lived near a rounded hill or fortification.
also spelled
Baylleul
Bailloeul
Bayul
Balliol
Related arms
Horionsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives de l'État à Tournai, Registres paroissiaux de la ville de Tournai, 1737
Debrabandere, Frans, Woordenboek van de familienamen in België en Noord-Frankrijk, 2003
Huisman, Georges, Histoire de Tournai, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
