Show ContentsBalmen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

An ancient Pictish-Scottish family was the first to use the name Balmen. It is a name for someone who lived in the old lands of Balmanno in Kincardine. The name is a topographic or local surname, which was given to a family who held a barony or lands, had houses, manors or estates in the area.

Early Origins of the Balmen family

The surname Balmen was first found in Kincardine, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Balmen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balmen research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1447, 1534 and 1582 are included under the topic Early Balmen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balmen Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, there was no basic set of rules and scribes wrote according to sound. The correct spelling of Scottish names were further compromised after many haphazard translations from Gaelic to English and back. Spelling variations of the name Balmen include Balmano, Belmano, Belmanno, Bolmano, Ballmanno and many more.

Early Notables of the Balmen family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Belleman or Belmain was, according to Fuller, the French tutor of Edward VI. "The prince appears to have commenced his studies under his instructor in his seventh year (1534). Belleman seems, however, to have been retained...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Balmen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Balmen family

Scots left their country by the thousands to travel to Australia and North America. Desperate for freedom and an opportunity to fend for themselves, many paid huge fees and suffered under terrible conditions on long voyages. Still, for those who made the trip, freedom and opportunity awaited. In North America, many fought their old English oppressors in the American War of Independence. In recent years, Scottish heritage has been an increasingly important topic, as Clan societies and other organizations have renewed people's interest in their history. An examination of passenger and immigration lists shows many early settlers bearing the name of Balmen: Bamon Balmon who settled in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1868. William Belmano arrived in Philadelphia in 1856.



The Balmen Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortiter
Motto Translation: Strongly (bravely)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook