A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bale family of England.
Reg. 8758 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Per pale vert and gu. an eagle displ. or”
LeicesterCarleton-Curlew · Leicester, c. 1620
Where the Bale Arms Were Recorded
Leicester
Map of England showing where the Bale arms are recorded
The Bale arms were recorded in Leicester, c. 1620.
Leicestershire was grazing country, and wool and cattle made steady money rather than spectacular fortunes. Steady money bought manors, and manors are what brought families into the registers.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bale 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 Leicester.
Origin & History of the Bale Family in England
The surname Bale is primarily of English origin and is often classified as a locational name, meaning it likely identified individuals who lived near a specific geographical feature or within a particular settlement. In the Middle Ages, the word "bale" could refer to a rounded hill or a clearing in a forest, suggesting that the earliest ancestors to bear the name were people who lived in or near such landscapes. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Leicester. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bale family were active participants in the social and civic life of this historic market town. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local community through trade and land ownership, which helped cement the name within the region for generations to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
bael
Old English term referring to a bonfire or a funeral pyre.
This name
BaleA topographic name for someone who lived near a beacon or a fire site.
also spelled
Baile
Bayle
Baill
Related arms
Baylevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Leicestershire Archives, Records of the Borough of Leicester, 1603–1688
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
