A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baillie family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9085 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à neuf étoiles rayonnantes d'arg., 3, 3, 2 et 1. C.: une tête et col d'ours, au nat. S.: deux tigres au nat., coll. chacun d'une couronne à l'antique d'or, à laquelle est attachée une chaîne du même qui, passant entre leurs pattes, est rejetée sur le dos. D.: UBI BENE IBI PATRIA.”
BritainLondres, c. 1812
Where the Baillie Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Baillie arms are recorded
The Baillie arms were recorded in Londres, c. 1812.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Britain in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Britain when the Baillie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Baillie Family in Britain
The surname Baillie is derived from the Middle English word "baili," which referred to a person who acted as a steward or an officer of the law. In the medieval period, this title was often given to individuals who managed estates or served as local magistrates for noble landowners. While the name has deep roots in Scotland, where it became well-established among the landed gentry, families carrying the name also migrated across Britain over several centuries. By the early 19th century, records confirm the presence of the Baillie family in Kent. During this time, families with this name were often involved in local administration, trade, or professional life, reflecting the name's historical association with civic duty and management. As the family settled into regions like Kent, they became part of the broader social fabric of England, continuing a long tradition of service and community involvement that had defined the name since its early origins.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az., nine stars, three, three, two and one. ar., a bordure or, charged with ten cinquefoils vert”
SutherlandWilliam Baillie · Sutherland, c. 1747
Where the Baillie Arms Were Recorded
Sutherland
Map of Scotland showing where the Baillie arms are recorded
The Baillie arms were recorded in Sutherland, c. 1747.
Sutherland was empty Highland country in the far north, held by a very small number of families. Land there rarely changed hands, and families who held it appear in the records.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Britain when the Baillie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sutherland.
Origin & History of the Baillie Family in Scotland
The surname Baillie finds its roots in the medieval administrative structure of Scotland, originating from the title of a "bailie," which was a local official responsible for managing land and enforcing the law on behalf of a feudal superior. Over time, individuals who held these positions of authority began to adopt the title as a hereditary surname, spreading the name across various regions of the country. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern Highlands, specifically within the county of Sutherland. Records from 1747 confirm that members of the Baillie family were living and working in this rugged landscape during a period of significant social and political upheaval in Scotland. Their transition from holding a professional office to establishing a lasting family lineage reflects the broader evolution of Scottish surnames during the medieval and early modern eras.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. nine stars, three, three, two and one, ar”
Englandc. 1812
Where the Baillie Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Baillie arms are recorded
The Baillie arms were recorded in England, c. 1812.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Britain when the Baillie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Baillie Family in England
The family name Baillie has deep roots that stretch back to the medieval period, serving as a title for a local official or a magistrate who managed legal and administrative duties for a lord. While the name is often associated with Scottish history, members of the family established a notable presence in England by the early nineteenth century. Records confirm that the family was settled in the historic city of York by 1812, a time when the city was transitioning into a major hub for trade and industry. During this era, families with this name were often involved in professional or merchant classes, contributing to the growth of urban centers through commerce and civic participation. By moving into cities like York, these individuals integrated their ancestral name into the changing social landscape of industrial England, marking a shift from their traditional roles in rural administration to the modern life of a bustling northern city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
baiulus
A Latin term referring to a carrier, porter, or manager.
This name
BaillieAn occupational surname for a bailiff, steward, or official in charge of an estate.
also spelled
Bayllie
Bailey
Baylee
Bayley
Baily
Related arms
Baileyvariant spelling
Bailyvariant spelling
Baleyvariant spelling
Baylievariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, UK, Census Returns of England and Wales, 1841, HO 107
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cinquefoilHope and joy
