A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balthazar family of France.
Reg. 8960 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
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 la fasce d'arg., acc. de trois annelets du même.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Balthazar Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Balthazar arms are recorded
The Balthazar arms were recorded in France, c. 1663.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 Balthazar 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 France.
Origin & History of the Balthazar Family in France
The name Balthazar originates from the ancient Babylonian name Bel-shar-usur, which translates to "Bel protect the king." Over many centuries, the name evolved through Greek and Latin translations before becoming a recognized surname in various parts of Europe. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the Balthazar family were established in the region of Bretagne in northwestern France. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where they relied on agriculture and maritime trade. The presence of the family in this specific coastal province suggests they were part of the local social fabric during a time when France was undergoing significant administrative changes under King Louis XIV. As the name spread across the region, it became a distinct identifier for families who maintained deep roots in the Breton landscape for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bel-sar-usur
Akkadian phrase meaning may Bel protect the king.
This name
BalthazarDerived from the biblical magus, signifying divine protection for the monarch.
also spelled
Balthasar
Related arms
Balthasarvariant spelling
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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
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
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
