A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baley family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1956 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 chev. d'or, ch. d'une fleur-de-lis de sin.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Baley Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Baley arms are recorded
The Baley arms were recorded in Lyonnais, c. 1663.
Lyonnais centred on Lyon, one of the great banking and silk towns of France. Money made in the city bought estates in the countryside around it, and those estates brought arms with them.
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 Baley 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 Lyonnais.
Origin & History of the Baley Family in France
The family name Baley has deep roots in the historical province of Lyonnais, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1663. During this period, the region was a bustling center for trade and silk production, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of those bearing the name. Families in this part of France often lived in close-knit rural communities or within the growing urban environment of Lyon, where they contributed to the local economy and social structure. The name itself likely evolved from regional dialects and naming customs common to the area during the seventeenth century. By establishing themselves in Lyonnais, the early Baley family became part of the long and complex history of eastern France, navigating the social changes and agricultural traditions that defined life in the region before the French Revolution.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Az. on a chev. betw. three fleurs-de-lis ar. three martlets sa”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Baley Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Baley arms are recorded
The Baley arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in France when the Baley arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Baley Family in Ireland
The family name Baley has a long history in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin as early as 1645. During the seventeenth century, Dublin was a bustling center of trade and political change, and families like the Baleys were often involved in the urban life of the capital city. The name likely evolved from older occupational or descriptive roots, reflecting the diverse origins of people living in the Pale, the area around Dublin under English influence. As the family established itself in the region, they became part of the complex social fabric of a city transitioning through major historical shifts. By settling in Dublin during this period, the early Baleys were positioned at the heart of Irish administrative and commercial activity, which helped the name persist through the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bail
A term derived from Old French referring to a steward or guardian.
This name
BaleyAn occupational surname for someone who served as a bailiff or local official.
also spelled
Baly
Balie
Balay
Bailey
Bayley
Related arms
Baileyvariant spelling
Baillievariant spelling
Bayleyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la commune de Lyon
Béghain, Patrice, Dictionnaire historique de Lyon, 2009
Fournier, Gabriel, La vie rurale en France au XVIIe siècle, 1976
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
