Balchin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Balchin name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived at or near a bank or ridge. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English word Balca which means dweller by the bank or ridge. 1

Early Origins of the Balchin family

The surname Balchin was first found in Oxfordshire, where William Belch was first listed as a Templar in 1185. Later, William le Belch was listed as holding lands in Essex in 1295 and Robert Balch was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1328. 1

Kirby's Quest lists "Robert Balch, Somerset, 1 Edward III" (holding lands there during the first year's reign of Edward III.) 2

Sir Toby Belch is a character in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Early History of the Balchin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balchin research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1185, 1295, 1327, 1332, 1604, 1659, 1669, 1670, 1735 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Balchin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balchin Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Balchin were recorded, including Balch, Balche, Belch, Belche, Ballch, Bellch, Ballche and many more.

Early Notables of the Balchin family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Balchin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balchin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Balchin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Balchin, aged 36, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
Rebecca Balchin, aged 33, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
Ernest Balchin, aged 7, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878
Florence Balchin, aged 3, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1878

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.