A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bales family of England.
Reg. 9261 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
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)
“Gu. a fesse betw. three crosses pattée fitchée or”
NorthamptonNorton · Northampton, c. 1620
Where the Bales Arms Were Recorded
Northampton
Map of England showing where the Bales arms are recorded
The Bales arms were recorded in Northampton, c. 1620.
Northamptonshire was grazing and hunting country in the middle of England, thick with manor houses. Its families 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Bales 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 Northampton.
Origin & History of the Bales Family in England
The surname Bales is believed to have originated in England as a descriptive name, likely derived from the Middle English word "bale," which could refer to a bundle of goods or a person who lived near a specific landmark. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Northampton, a town with deep roots in medieval trade and leather production. Records indicate that members of the Bales family were well-integrated into the local community by 1620, participating in the daily life and economic activities of the region. As the family grew, they contributed to the social fabric of Northamptonshire, often working as skilled craftsmen or merchants. This period was a time of significant transition in England, and the Bales family was part of a generation that helped shape the local history of the town before many families began to look toward the opportunities of the New World.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bale
Old French word for a bundle or a package of goods.
This name
BalesAn occupational surname for a merchant or packer who dealt in baled goods.
also spelled
Bails
Bayles
Bailles
Balle
Related arms
Baillesvariant spelling
Ballevariant spelling
Baylesvariant spelling
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
Northamptonshire Archives, Northampton St Sepulchre Parish Registers, 1570–1650
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
