| ![Show Contents]() Balen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Balen family, who lived in Cornwall. The family originated from the region around the fortress of Balon near Le Mans in France, and the name was carried to England by Hamelin de Balon during the Norman Conquest of England. 1 Early Origins of the Balen familyThe surname Balen was first found in Cornwall, where they held a family seat from the 11th century. The family originated from the region around the fortress of Balon near Le Mans in France and the name was carried to England by Hamelin de Balon during the conquest. John de Baalun or Balun (d. 1235), was justice itinerant, "a Baron who possessed estates in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Wiltshire, and was descended from one Hameline de Baalun, who came over with the Conqueror, built the castle of Abergavenny, and died in 1089. His father was Reginald de Balun, and in 1207 John de Balun paid a fine for the lands of Hameline, on behalf of his father, to Geoffrey Fitz-Ace and Agnes, his wife. In 12 John (1210-1211) Balun accompanied the king to Ireland, but at the end of John's reign lost his lands for taking part in the barons' attack upon the king. " 2 Early History of the Balen familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balen research. Another 287 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1090, 1224, 1273, 1275, 1297, 1327 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Balen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Balen Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Balen were recorded, including Balleine, Ballin, Ballon, Balon, Balun, Baalun, Ballom, Balin, Ballen and many more. Early Notables of the Balen familyMore information is included under the topic Early Balen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Balen familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Balen arrived in North America very early: Susan Ballin who arrived in Barbados in 1654.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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