A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bolling family of England.
Reg. 4604 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Sa. an escutcheon erm. within an orle of eight martlets ar”
LancasterLancaster, c. 1620
Where the Bolling Arms Were Recorded
Lancaster
Map of England showing where the Bolling arms are recorded
The Bolling arms were recorded in Lancaster, c. 1620.
Lancashire was divided among a great many small landed families, more than most northern counties. Estates were passed down whole rather than split up, so the same names hold the same ground for centuries in the records.
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 England when the Bolling 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 Lancaster.
Origin & History of the Bolling Family in England
The Bolling family name traces its roots back to the northern regions of England, where it was associated with the manor of Bolling near Bradford. The name is derived from Old English terms describing a settlement or a family group living in a specific area. By the early seventeenth century, members of the family had established a presence in Lancaster, a historic town known for its strategic location and its ancient castle. In 1620, records confirm that the Bolling family was active within this community, participating in the local social and economic life of the region. As the century progressed, some members of this family sought new opportunities across the Atlantic, carrying their name and heritage into the developing colonies of North America. This transition marked the beginning of the family's expansion beyond their traditional English home and into a new chapter of history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bolla
An Old Norse or Old English personal name meaning bowl or bubble.
This name
BollingRefers to the descendants or people living at the settlement of Bolla.
also spelled
Bollen
Bollyn
Related arms
Bowlingsame arms
Bollenvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cudworth, William, Histories of Bolton and Bowling, 1891
Lancashire Archives, Lancaster Parish Church Registers, PR 3052
Speight, Harry, Chronicles and Stories of Old Bingley: A Full Account of the History, Antiquities, Natural History, Scenery, and Sport of the Bingley District, 1898
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
orlePreservation, and protection in battle
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
