A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Belling family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5589 · German, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à un chicot de quatre branches de sin., posé en barre, mouv. de l'angle dextre de la p. Brl. de sa. et d'arg. C.: six pl. d'aut., alt. de sa. et d'arg. L. d'arg. et de sa.”
PomeraniaPomerania, c. 1765
Where the Belling Arms Were Recorded
Map of Germany showing where the Belling arms are recorded
The Belling arms were recorded in Pomerania, c. 1765.
Pomerania was flat farming country on the Baltic coast, held in large estates by a small number of families. They kept their land for generations, and generations of landholding is what fills the registers.
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.
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor
1745–1765
Reigning in Germany when the Belling 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 Pomerania.
Origin & History of the Belling Family in Germany
The family name Belling is rooted in the northern regions of Germany, specifically within the historical territory of Pomerania. During the eighteenth century, the name was well-established in this coastal landscape, where families often lived in rural communities tied to the land and local trade. By 1765, records show that members of the Belling family were active participants in the social and economic life of the region. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive term or a reference to a specific geographic location, which was a common way for surnames to form in German-speaking lands during the Middle Ages. As the family grew, they became part of the steady movement of people across the Prussian territories, reflecting the broader history of families who built their lives in the Baltic coastal plains. Through these generations, the Belling name became a permanent part of the local history in Pomerania, marking a long connection to the development of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ramLeadership and authority
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Coupé: au 1 d'azur à un bélier naiss. d'arg., mouv. du coupé; au 2 d'or plein.”
SwitzerlandFribourg, c. 1745
Where the Belling Arms Were Recorded
Fribourg
Map of Switzerland showing where the Belling arms are recorded
The Belling arms were recorded in Fribourg, c. 1745.
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 Switzerland in this period.
How Arms Worked in Switzerland
In Switzerland, coats of arms were not restricted to the nobility and were often adopted by common citizens and families. These symbols were passed down through generations to show family identity. When branches of a family grew, they often changed small details of the design to distinguish their own line from the original group.
Granting authority
Cantonal and civic authorities managed the use of coats of arms within their specific regions and local jurisdictions.
How they got arms
Families typically assumed their own coats of arms based on local custom rather than receiving them from a central monarch.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in various cantonal and civic registers starting from the fourteenth century throughout the Swiss region.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Switzerland.
Origin & History of the Belling Family in Switzerland
The family name Belling has deep roots in the Swiss canton of Fribourg, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1745. During this period, Fribourg was a region defined by its agricultural traditions and its unique position as a bridge between French and German speaking cultures. Families like the Bellings were often integrated into the local community through land ownership, trade, or service to the local parishes. Because Fribourg was a center for religious and civil administration, the presence of the Belling name in these early records suggests that they were recognized citizens who participated in the social and economic life of the town. Over time, the family became part of the fabric of the region, contributing to the development of the local society as it transitioned through the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bello
Latin term meaning beautiful, handsome, or fair.
This name
BellingA habitational name for someone originating from the town of Belling in Germany.
also spelled
Beling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Heintze, Albert. Die deutschen Familiennamen: geschichtlich, geographisch, sprachlich. 1903
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Landesarchiv Greifswald. Kirchenbücher der Provinz Pommern. 1765
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
ramLeadership and authority
