A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balley family of France.
Reg. 4349 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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'or à trois fasces de gu.; au chef d'azur, ch. d'un soleil d'or entre deux coquilles d'arg.”
LyonnaisLyonnais, c. 1663
Where the Balley Arms Were Recorded
Lyonnais
Map of France showing where the Balley arms are recorded
The Balley 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 Balley 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 Balley Family in France
The family name Balley traces its roots to the historic Lyonnais region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During this period, the Lyonnais area served as a vital center for trade and silk production, which likely influenced the daily lives and occupations of early ancestors. The name itself is thought to be topographical or occupational in origin, often linked to individuals who lived near specific landmarks or held roles related to local administration. As the family grew within this vibrant cultural landscape, they became part of the long-standing traditions of rural and urban life in southeastern France. By maintaining a presence in the region for centuries, the family contributed to the local social fabric that defined the Lyonnais identity during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bail
Derived from the Old French word for a steward or guardian.
This name
BalleyAn occupational surname for a person who served as a bailiff or estate manager.
also spelled
Ballie
Bally
Balay
Bailey
Related arms
Ballyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Rhône, Registres paroissiaux de l'état civil, 1663
Bouchary, Jean, Les compagnies financières à Paris à l'époque de Louis XIV, 1941
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
