A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ball family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3732 · Swiss, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à un écusson de sa. en abime, bordé d'arg., ch. d'une étoile d'or et acc. de trois autres étoiles du même. C.: une étoile d'or, entre deux prob., d'arg. et de sa. L. d'arg. et d'or.”
Switzerlandc. 1745
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Map of Switzerland showing where the Ball arms are recorded
The Ball arms were recorded in Switzerland, c. 1745.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bern.
Bern was the largest of the Swiss cantons and ran itself, with its own council and its own courts. Its governing families held office for generations, and office of that kind carried a shield with it.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Ball Family in Switzerland
The name Ball has deep roots in the Swiss canton of Bern, where records confirm the family was well-established by 1745. During this period, the Swiss population was largely organized into local parishes, and families often held citizenship rights in specific towns that allowed them to participate in local governance and trade. The name likely originated as a descriptive term or a nickname, which was a common practice for identifying individuals in small, tight-knit mountain communities before the widespread use of formal surnames. As the family grew in Bern, they integrated into the local social structure, often working in agriculture or specialized crafts that supported the regional economy. By the mid-18th century, the presence of the Ball family in official registers suggests they were recognized members of the community who contributed to the stability and development of the Bernese highlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Sa. a fess engr. three dexter hands couped ar”
StaffordStafford, c. 1612
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Map of England showing where the Ball arms are recorded
The Ball arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1612.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Switzerland when the Ball 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Ball Family in England
The surname Ball emerged in England during the Middle Ages as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to someone with a round physical feature or a bald head. By the time the name appeared in official records in Stafford in 1612, the family had already established deep roots within the local community. During this period, the name was common among families who lived in the English Midlands, where they often worked as farmers or tradespeople. These early ancestors were part of a growing class of citizens who were increasingly documented in parish registers as the state began to keep better track of its population. Because the name was relatively simple and easy to remember, it spread steadily across different counties as families moved to find work or new land. By the early seventeenth century, the Ball family was well-integrated into the social fabric of Staffordshire, reflecting the broader movement of English families who were building stable lives in their home towns.
Ball Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
balla
A Germanic or Old High German term meaning a rounded object.
This name
BallA topographic name for someone living near a rounded hill or a nickname for a stout person.
also spelled
Bal
Balle
Baull
Baulle
Related arms
Bealesimilar arms
Balvariant spelling
Daxleyrecorded with Ball, same area
Ferrierrecorded with Ball, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, 2002
Staatsarchiv des Kantons Bern, Kirchenbücher der Stadt und Landschaft Bern, 1745
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mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
handFaith, sincerity and justice
