Show ContentsBaylhan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Baylhan is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Suffolk, where they held a family seat in the village of Baylham, from which they took their name.

Early Origins of the Baylhan family

The surname Baylhan was first found in Suffolk, in the village and civil parish of Baylham. The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Beleham and probably meant "homestead or enclosure at a river-bend" from the Old English words "begel" + "ham" or "hamm." 1

The parish, in the union and hundred of Bosmere and Claydon, East division of Suffolk, 3 miles from Needham-Market was small but contained about 275 inhabitants in the late 1890s. 2

Early History of the Baylhan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baylhan research. Another 287 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1212, 1275, 1500, 1568, 1577, 1600, 1635, 1642, 1684 and 1830 are included under the topic Early Baylhan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baylhan Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Baylhan has been spelled many different ways, including Baalham, Balan, Baylham, Balum, Balam, Ballam, Balaam and many more.

Early Notables of the Baylhan family

More information is included under the topic Early Baylhan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Baylhan family to Ireland

Some of the Baylhan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Baylhan family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Baylhans to arrive in North America: Charles Baalam who sailed to New England in 1656. Charles Balam arrived in Barbados in 1679 and William Balam sailed to Philadelphia in 1856.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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