Map of France showing where the Balls arms are recorded
The Balls arms were recorded in Languedoc, c. 1663.
Languedoc stretched across the south of France, a country of small towns, vineyards and old local families. Its gentry were numerous rather than grand, and a great many of them held arms even where their estates were modest.
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 Balls 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 Languedoc.
Origin & History of the Balls Family in France
The history of the family name Balls in France is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the Languedoc region during the seventeenth century. By 1663, records indicate that members of the family were already established within this southern territory, a time when the area was known for its distinct linguistic traditions and agricultural importance. The name likely evolved from local dialects or occupational descriptions common to the rural communities of the Mediterranean coast. As the family navigated the social shifts of the era, they became part of the fabric of Languedoc life, living through a period marked by significant religious and political transitions. Their presence in the region suggests a long-standing connection to the land and the local economy, reflecting the broader migration patterns and settlement histories that defined the French provinces before the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Or, a fesse wavy az. betw. two lions pass. guard. sa”
YorkshireYorkshire, c. 1578
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Balls arms are recorded
The Balls arms were recorded in Yorkshire, c. 1578.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in France when the Balls 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 Yorkshire.
Origin & History of the Balls Family in England
The family name Balls has deep roots in the English landscape, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the county of Yorkshire as early as 1578. During this period, surnames were becoming increasingly fixed as a way to identify individuals within growing communities. The name is generally categorized as a patronymic, meaning it likely originated from a shortened or affectionate version of a given name such as Baldwin or Ball. In the sixteenth century, families in Yorkshire were often tied to the land through agriculture or local trades, and the presence of the Balls name in parish records suggests they were part of the expanding social fabric of Northern England. As the family moved and grew over the following centuries, they contributed to the local history of their regions through their work and their participation in village life. This early history reflects the broader trend of how common English surnames were formed and preserved through generations of families living in rural and developing towns.
Balls Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Baud
Derived from the Germanic element bald meaning bold or brave.
This name
BallsA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Baud or Baldwin.
also spelled
Baylles
Bay
Bailes
Bayles
Bayle
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Hérault, Série E: État civil et registres paroissiaux
Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel, Les Paysans de Languedoc, 1966
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
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
