A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ballow family of England.
Reg. 1848 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. an estoile of eight points or, betw. three keys erect ar”
EnglandWestminster, c. 1620
Where the Ballow Arms Were Recorded
Westminster
Map of England showing where the Ballow arms are recorded
The Ballow arms were recorded in Westminster, c. 1620.
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 Ballow 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 Ballow Family in England
The Ballow family name has deep roots in English history, with early records placing members of the family in the city of Westminster by the year 1620. During this period, Westminster was a bustling center of political and religious life, and families living there were often connected to the royal court or the growing administrative offices of the government. The name itself is thought to be a topographic or locational surname, likely derived from people who lived near a specific landmark or a small settlement. As the family established themselves in the capital, they became part of the urban fabric of London during a time of great social change. By settling in such a prominent area, the early Ballows were positioned to participate in the professional and civic developments that defined seventeenth-century England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ballowe
Derived from the Old French word for a ball or sphere.
This name
BallowA topographical name for someone who lived near a rounded hill or knoll.
also spelled
Ballew
Balloe
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, State Papers Domestic, James I, 1620
Westminster City Archives, St Margaret’s Westminster Parish Registers, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
