Map of England showing where the Wallentine arms are recorded
The Wallentine arms were recorded in Crookdale, 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 England when the Wallentine 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 Wallentine Family in England
The family name Wallentine traces its roots to the northern English city of York, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious life, and families like the Wallentines were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself likely evolved from a variation of the personal name Valentine, which was a popular choice in medieval England due to its association with religious figures and seasonal festivals. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the local community through their trades and civic participation. By the early seventeenth century, the Wallentines were already well-settled residents, navigating the changing political and social landscape of a city that had served as a northern capital for centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Valens
Latin for strong, healthy, or powerful.
This name
WallentineA patronymic surname derived from Valentine, signifying a descendant of a strong or healthy person.
also spelled
Ballantine
Ballantyne
Ballentyne
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records
City of York Archives, Freemen of the City of York, 1272–1759
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
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