Show ContentsBalstone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Balstone family

The surname Balstone was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1327 when Robert Balston held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Balstone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balstone research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1605, 1630, 1678 and 1883 are included under the topic Early Balstone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balstone Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Balstone are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Balstone include: Balston, Balstone, Balliston, Ballistone and others.

Early Notables of the Balstone family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Balstone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Balstone migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Balstone or a variant listed above:

Balstone Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Balstone, who arrived in Boston in 1631
  • William Balstone, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1631 1
  • Jonathan Balstone, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1645 1
  • John Balstone, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1647 1


The Balstone 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: J'espere
Motto Translation: I hope.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook