A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ballot family of France.
Reg. 2854 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or au léopard lionné de gu.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois étoiles du champ. C.: une étoile d'or, entre deux ailes de dragon.”
LorraineLorraine, c. 1543
Where the Ballot Arms Were Recorded
Lorraine
Map of France showing where the Ballot arms are recorded
The Ballot arms were recorded in Lorraine, c. 1543.
Lorraine sat on the border between France and the German lands, and border country bred soldiers. Families here held small estates and served in arms, and a fighting man was exactly the sort who carried a shield of his own.
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.
Francis I of France
Sovereign of the period
Francis I of France
1515–1547
Reigning in France when the Ballot 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 Lorraine.
Origin & History of the Ballot Family in France
The family name Ballot has deep roots in the historical region of Lorraine, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1543. During this period, the name was likely linked to the Old French word "ballot," which referred to a small bundle or a pack of goods. This suggests that the earliest ancestors may have been merchants or traders who traveled through the bustling markets of eastern France. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local social fabric of Lorraine, a region known for its unique blend of French and Germanic cultural influences. Over the centuries, the name evolved alongside the shifting borders and political changes of the area, remaining a distinct identifier for families living in the rural and urban centers of the province.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
balla
A Germanic or Old French term referring to a ball or sphere.
This name
BallotA nickname for a person of stout or round physical stature.
also spelled
Balot
Balo
Related arms
Bellotsimilar arms
Bonniersimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bouteiller, Ernest de. Dictionnaire topographique de l'ancien département de la Moselle. 1868
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
