A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balin family of France.
Reg. 8625 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à la fasce ondée d'arg.”
Franche-ComteFranche-Comte, c. 1663
Where the Balin Arms Were Recorded
Franche-Comte
Map of France showing where the Balin arms are recorded
The Balin arms were recorded in Franche-Comte, c. 1663.
Franche-Comte sat between France and the Empire and changed hands more than once. Border families held their land under arms and expected to defend it, so a shield was a practical thing rather than an ornament.
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 Balin 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 Franche-Comte.
Origin & History of the Balin Family in France
The family name Balin has roots that trace back to the historical region of Franche-Comté in eastern France. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were well established within this area, which was a territory known for its rugged mountains and strong local traditions. The name itself likely evolved from older linguistic roots common to the region, possibly serving as a descriptive term or a variation of local occupational names used during the Middle Ages. Living in Franche-Comté during the seventeenth century meant that the family was situated in a strategically important borderland that shifted between French and Spanish influence. This unique environment shaped the lives of early ancestors who navigated the social and economic changes of the period while maintaining their presence in the local community. Through these early records, we can see that the Balin family was part of the foundational fabric of the region long before the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bale
Old French term for a bale or bundle of goods.
This name
BalinA locational surname for someone who lived near a place where goods were bundled.
also spelled
Balyn
Ballin
Related arms
Ballinvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Doubs, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Gauthier, Jules, Dictionnaire des communes du département du Doubs, 1886
Rousset, Alphonse, Dictionnaire géographique, historique et statistique des communes de la Franche-Comté, 1854
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
