A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balser family of Germany.
Reg. 3466 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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'arg. au lion de gu., tenant entre ses pattes une croix latine pattée d'or. C.: le lion, iss.”
GermanyDarmstadt, c. 1725
Where the Balser Arms Were Recorded
Darmstadt
Map of Germany showing where the Balser arms are recorded
The Balser arms were recorded in Darmstadt, c. 1725.
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.
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1711–1740
Reigning in Germany when the Balser 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 Balser Family in Germany
The family name Balser traces its roots to the Germanic regions of Europe, where it functioned as a patronymic name derived from the given name Balthasar. This name was historically popular due to its association with one of the biblical Magi, which gave it a sense of religious significance and tradition. By the early 18th century, the family established a notable presence in the city of Darmstadt, located in the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt. During this period, the region was recovering from the long-term effects of the Thirty Years' War, and families like the Balsers were often part of the emerging middle class of artisans, tradespeople, or civil servants. Living in a major administrative center like Darmstadt suggests that early members of the family were likely integrated into the local economy and social structure of the German states. Their presence in official records from 1725 indicates that they were settled, tax-paying residents who participated in the community life of the city during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Balthasar
Derived from the Phoenician phrase meaning Baal protects the king.
This name
BalserA German patronymic surname originating from the name of one of the biblical Magi.
also spelled
Balsere
Related arms
du Hallrecorded with Balser, same area
Wernerrecorded with Balser, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Hessisches Staatsarchiv Darmstadt, Kirchenbuch der Evangelischen Kirchengemeinde Darmstadt, 1725
Bahlow, Hans, Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt, 1967
Kohl, Wilhelm, Die Geschichte der Stadt Darmstadt, 1980
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
