A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ballinger family of Germany.
Reg. 1078 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“D'arg. à la bande d'azur, coticée de gu. et ch. d'un griffon pass. d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un vol à l'antique, aux armes de l'écu. L.: à dextre d'arg. et de gu., à sen. d'or et d'azur.”
Germanyc. 1765
Where the Ballinger Arms Were Recorded
Bavaria
Map of Germany showing where the Ballinger arms are recorded
The Ballinger arms were recorded in Germany, c. 1765.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bavaria.
Bavaria was a country of old landed families and walled market towns. Estates passed down the same line for centuries, and both the landowners and the leading townsmen kept arms, which is why so many Bavarian names sit in the registers.
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 Germany in this period.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Ballinger arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Germany
In the Holy Roman Empire, coats of arms were often granted to individuals by the Emperor or his representatives. These arms were then passed down through the generations to all legitimate descendants of the original holder. Younger branches of a family usually kept the same shield design without needing to change it, as the arms belonged to the entire lineage.
Granting authority
The Holy Roman Emperor held the sole power to grant new coats of arms throughout his vast imperial territories.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal imperial grant or by proving their noble status to the authorities.
Where arms were recorded
These grants were officially recorded in the Imperial Chancery registers, which began keeping formal records of such honors during the Middle Ages.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Germany.
Origin & History of the Ballinger Family in Germany
The surname Ballinger has deep roots in the Germanic regions of Europe, with historical documentation confirming the presence of the family in Bavaria by 1765. The name is generally considered a locational or occupational surname, likely derived from the Middle High German word "balle," which could refer to a rounded hill or a specific type of settlement. Families carrying this name were often integrated into the agricultural and craft-based economies of southern Germany, where they lived as villagers or tradespeople. Over the centuries, the name evolved in spelling as families moved across different regions and interacted with various local dialects. By the mid-18th century, the Ballinger name was firmly established within the social fabric of the Bavarian landscape, reflecting a long history of community involvement and regional identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Balingen
A town located in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.
This name
BallingerA habitational name for someone who originated from the town of Balingen.
also spelled
Balinger
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
