Map of France showing where the Balce arms are recorded
The Balce arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Balce 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 Balce Family in France
The family name Balce has deep roots in the historical region of Bretagne, France, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1725. During the eighteenth century, Bretagne was a distinct province known for its strong maritime culture and unique linguistic traditions. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked as farmers, craftsmen, or sailors. Because the name appears in regional records during this period, it is likely that the family was part of the local social fabric that helped shape the identity of the Breton people. Over time, the name persisted through generations, reflecting the resilience and stability of families who remained tied to their ancestral lands despite the many political changes occurring across France during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bals
Derived from the Latin word balsamum meaning a fragrant resin or balm.
This name
BalceA topographic or occupational name referring to someone who lived near or traded in aromatic balsam plants.
also spelled
Balke
Balk
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Fonds de la juridiction de Bretagne)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1937
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