A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ballentine family of England.
Reg. 1025 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
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)
“Ar. on a cross betw. four mullets a sword erect of the first, hilt and pomel or”
EnglandCrookdale, c. 1620
Where the Ballentine Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Ballentine arms are recorded
The Ballentine arms were recorded in Crookdale, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Ballentine 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 England.
Origin & History of the Ballentine Family in England
The Ballentine family name is rooted in the northern regions of England and the Scottish Borders, where it evolved from ancient linguistic traditions. The name is often associated with the Old French term "valentin," which signifies strength and health, though it eventually became localized through centuries of regional pronunciation. By the year 1620, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and administration, suggesting that early Ballentines were likely involved in the city’s bustling merchant guilds or local craft industries. As the family grew, they integrated into the social fabric of the region, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the steady expansion of families across Northern England during the early seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Valens
Latin for strong, healthy, or powerful.
This name
BallentineDerived from a medieval personal name meaning strong or healthy.
also spelled
Ballantine
Ballantyne
Ballentyne
Related arms
Ballantinevariant spelling
Musgraverecorded with Ballentine, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
swordJustice, and military honour
