| Balche History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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England France Etymology of BalcheWhat does the name Balche mean? The ancestors of the name Balche date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence 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 Balche familyThe surname Balche 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 Balche familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balche 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 Balche History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Balche Spelling VariationsBalche has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Balche have been found, including Balch, Balche, Belch, Belche, Ballch, Bellch, Ballche and many more. Early Notables of the Balche family- Sir John Balchen (1670-1744), English admiral, was born, according to local tradition and an anonymous inscription on his picture, 'of very obscure parentage, 4 Feb...
Migration of the Balche familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Balches to arrive on North American shores: John Balch, who arrived in Salem Massachusettes in 1620; Benjamin Balch, who sailed to Massachusettes in 1624 and John Balch, who arrived in Texas in 1836..
- 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.
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