A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balan family of France.
Reg. 4905 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 au balancier d'or, acc. en chef d'une étrille entre deux étoiles aussi d'or, et en p d'un croiss. d'arg. [V. Balland.]”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Balan Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Balan arms are recorded
The Balan arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Balan 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Balan Family in France
The family name Balan has deep roots in the historical region of Franche-Comté, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During this period, the region was a complex borderland that transitioned from Spanish Habsburg rule to French control under Louis XIV. Families living in this area often worked as skilled laborers, farmers, or local officials who helped maintain the social structure of small mountain villages. The name itself likely evolved from older regional dialects, possibly originating as a descriptive term for a person’s physical traits or their specific role within a rural community. Because Franche-Comté was a crossroads for trade and migration, the Balan family was part of a resilient population that navigated significant political changes while maintaining their ties to the land and their local parish records.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Balanus
Latin term for an acorn or a barnacle.
This name
BalanDerived from a topographic name for someone living near an acorn-bearing oak tree.
also spelled
Ballan
Related arms
Priemrecorded with Balan, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gauthier, Jules. Histoire de la Franche-Comté. 1908
Piquard, Maurice. La Franche-Comté sous les rois de France. 1948
Archives départementales du Doubs, Série E: Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
