A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baillon family of France.
Reg. 4564 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion léopardé d'or; au chef du même, ch. de trois étoiles d'azur.”
LyonnaisParis · Lyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Baillon Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Baillon arms are recorded
The Baillon arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Baillon 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Baillon Family in France
The surname Baillon finds its historical roots in the central and eastern regions of France, with a significant presence established in the Lyonnais province by the mid-seventeenth century. During the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were active residents in this area, which was a vital hub for trade, silk production, and religious life. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or occupational descriptor, likely derived from the Old French word "baille," which referred to a fenced enclosure or a protective wall. This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been individuals who lived near a fortified area or served as guardians of a specific property. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the local social fabric of the Lyonnais, contributing to the agricultural and artisanal development that defined the region during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bail
A term derived from the Old French word for a guardian.
This name
BaillonA topographic name for someone living near a barrier or a professional title for a bailiff.
also spelled
Bayllon
Bayon
Baylon
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Archives Départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la ville de Lyon, 1663
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
