A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balme family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4698 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
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'azur à trois roses tigées, mouv. d'un coeur, acc. en chef d'une étoile et en p. d'un croiss., le tout d'arg.”
ForezForez, c. 1663
Where the Balme Arms Were Recorded
Forez
Map of France showing where the Balme arms are recorded
The Balme arms were recorded in Forez, c. 1663.
Forez was a small upland county in central France, thick with minor gentry holding modest estates. Its families were more numerous than wealthy, and even a small holding was enough for a shield of one's 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.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Balme 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 Forez.
Origin & History of the Balme Family in France
The surname Balme originates from the French word *balme*, which is a regional term derived from the Gaulish language meaning a cave, a grotto, or a rocky shelter. In the landscape of medieval France, families often adopted names based on the specific geography of their homes, and those living near prominent limestone cliffs or cavernous formations became known by this descriptor. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family was well-established in the Forez region, a historic province in east-central France known for its rolling hills and proximity to the Massif Central. Records from 1663 confirm that members of the Balme family were active participants in the local society of this area, likely working as farmers or tradespeople who utilized the unique terrain of the Loire valley. Over time, the name transitioned from a simple geographic identifier into a permanent family lineage that remained deeply rooted in the social and economic life of the French countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
branchPeace, and new growth
Colours
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)
“Ar. three sprigs of balm flowered ppr”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Balme Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Balme arms are recorded
The Balme arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 France when the Balme 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 Balme Family in England
The family name Balme has deep roots in the northern regions of England, with documented evidence placing the family in the city of York as early as 1620. The name is generally considered to be topographical in origin, likely derived from the Old French word "balme," which refers to a cave, a hollow, or a sheltered place. Families who lived near such natural landmarks often adopted the name to identify their place of residence. By the early 17th century, members of the Balme family were established as part of the growing urban population in Yorkshire. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant social and economic change in England, as the region transitioned toward the industrial developments that would later define the north. While the name remained relatively rare, its presence in York suggests that these early ancestors were integrated into the local trade and civic life of one of England’s most historic cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
balma
A Latin term referring to a natural cave or rock shelter.
This name
BalmeA topographic name for someone who lived near a cave or rocky overhang.
also spelled
Balm
Balmes
Baume
Balmy
Related arms
Abbainorecorded with Balme, same area
Acchiardirecorded with Balme, same area
Corporandyrecorded with Balme, same area
Flotterecorded with Balme, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France. 1951
Archives départementales de la Loire. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de la province du Forez. 1663
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
branchPeace, and new growth
