A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bayles family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4245 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 une roue de Ste.-Catherine d'or.”
Francec. 1663
Where the Bayles Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Bayles arms are recorded
The Bayles 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 Bayles 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 Bayles Family in France
The family name Bayles finds its roots in the historical landscape of France, specifically within the western region of Bretagne. By the year 1663, records confirm that members of the family were already established in this coastal area. The name is believed to be topographic in origin, likely describing individuals who lived near a specific type of enclosure or a clearing in the woods. During the seventeenth century, families in Bretagne often lived in tight-knit rural communities where they worked the land or engaged in maritime trade. As the family grew, they became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and cultural development of their parishes. Their presence in the region during this era suggests they were deeply connected to the traditions and daily life of the Breton people, navigating the challenges of a changing French society while maintaining their local identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a fesse ar. betw. three mullets in chief, and as many martlets in base of the second”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bayles Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bayles arms are recorded
The Bayles 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 Bayles 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 Bayles Family in England
The surname Bayles is rooted in the occupational and geographic history of medieval England. It is generally understood as a locative or occupational name, likely derived from the Middle English word "bail," which referred to a bailiff or an official who managed land and legal affairs for a lord. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Bayles family were active within this northern hub, a city that served as a vital center for trade, religion, and administration during the Stuart period. Living in York suggests that these early ancestors were likely involved in the urban economy of the time, potentially working as tradespeople or local officials who benefited from the city's status as a regional capital. Over time, the name evolved through various spellings as it spread from these northern roots into other parts of the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bail
A term derived from Latin ballium referring to a guardian or custodian.
This name
BaylesAn occupational surname for a bailiff or an official responsible for managing an estate.
also spelled
Baylez
Baylz
Bayliss
Baylesse
Bailles
Related arms
Baillesvariant spelling
Balesvariant spelling
Baylee, Bailie, or Baileyvariant spelling
Baylisvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Poterie, Michel, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1980
Tanguy, Bernard, Dictionnaire des noms de communes, trèves et paroisses des Côtes-d'Armor, 1992
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
wheelFortune's turning, and the carter's trade
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
