Balches History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• France

Etymology of Balches

The ancestors of the name Balches 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 Balches family

Early History of the Balches family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balches 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 Balches History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balches Spelling Variations

Balches 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 Balches have been found, including Balch, Balche, Belch, Belche, Ballch, Bellch, Ballche and many more.

Early Notables of the Balches family

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

Migration of the Balches family

In 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 Balchess 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..