A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Baylen family of France.
Reg. 1578 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
duckResourcefulness on land and water
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'or au lévrier ramp. de gu., coll. d'arg., aux 2 et 3 d'azur à trois canettes d'arg.”
Francec. 1725
Where the Baylen Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Baylen arms are recorded
The Baylen arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Baylen 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 Baylen Family in France
The family name Baylen finds its historical roots in the rugged and culturally distinct region of Bretagne, France. By the year 1725, records confirm that members of the family were well-established within this coastal province. During this period, families in Bretagne often lived in close-knit rural communities where their daily lives were shaped by the local maritime economy and traditional agricultural practices. The name likely evolved from the unique linguistic patterns of the region, reflecting the blend of local dialects and the influence of the French language. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of the area, contributing to the local workforce and participating in the regional customs that defined life in western France during the early eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bail
Derived from the Old French term for a steward or administrator.
This name
BaylenA locational or occupational surname referring to someone who served as a bailiff or guardian.
also spelled
Baylenz
Baylen
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions, 1725
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille et prénoms de France, 1951
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
duckResourcefulness on land and water
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
duckResourcefulness on land and water
