A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balch family of England.
Reg. 3822 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Barry of six or and az. on a bend engr. gu. three spear heads ar”
SomersetSomerset, c. 1789
Where the Balch Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Balch arms are recorded
The Balch arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1789.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with 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
1760–1801
Reigning in England when the Balch 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 Somerset.
Origin & History of the Balch Family in England
The surname Balch is believed to have originated in the southwestern region of England, where it was historically associated with the county of Somerset. Etymologists often suggest that the name may have evolved from a descriptive nickname or a locational reference linked to the rugged landscape of the West Country. By the late 18th century, records confirm that the Balch family was well established in Somerset, participating in the local agricultural and social life of the rural parishes. These early family members were typically yeomen or tradespeople who contributed to the stability of their local communities during a time of significant change in English society. As the family grew, their presence became a fixture in the regional history of the area, reflecting the broader patterns of migration and settlement that defined life in Somerset during the late 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bale
Old English word referring to a bonfire or a funeral pyre.
This name
BalchA topographic name for someone who lived near a beacon or a signal fire.
also spelled
Balsh
Balshe
Balchhe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Somerset Archives, Parish Register Transcripts for Somerset, 1789
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
