| ![Show Contents]() Balye History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Balye is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Balye family when they migrated with the great wave that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. Balye is a name for a person who held the civil office of the same name in Normandy. The title 'Le Bailli' was approximately equal to that of Viscount or sheriff. 1 There was also a place named Bailleul-En-Vimeu which is about six miles south of Abbeyville in the Somme, Normandy from which some instances of the surname may have evolved. The name Balye is also an occupational name for a steward or official, deriving from "baiulivus" in Late Latin. In Scotland the word bailie, rather than bailiff is still used as the title for an officer in the courts. Early Origins of the Balye familyThe surname Balye was first found in Northumberland. However, there is still great controversy over the earliest origins of the name. There was great popular belief that the name was changed from Balliol, due to the unpopularity of the two Scottish Kings of that name. However, many historians, such as Bain, find no evidence for such a change, and cite very early instances of the name Baillie, such as William de Bailli, who appeared as a juror on an inquest concerning forfeited lands in Lothian around 1311-12. 2 Early records of the Baillie Clan indicate that the aforementioned William de Bailli was also known as Baillie of Hoperig, who acquired the lands of Lamington in Lanarkshire. His son William was granted a charter confirming ownership of these same lands in 1358. Alexander, the eldest grandson of William and two brothers fled the country after they had beaten and killed their tutor. After serving in the army, Alexander received the lands of Dunain and Dochfour, and was appointed the Constable of Inverness. Another brother of Alexander's married a daughter of Sir Patrick Hume's in 1492, and from this union descended the Baillies of Jerviswood. Early History of the Balye familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balye research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1292, 1296, 1308, 1332, 1338, 1585, 1587, 1589, 1610, 1611, 1630, 1632, 1634, 1644, 1648, 1657, 1664, 1667, 1671, 1684, 1691, 1701, 1719, 1720, 1721, 1738, 1740, 1741, 1744, 1749, 1764, 1872 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Balye History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Balye Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Balye include Baillie, Bailey, Bailie, Bayly, Bayley, Bailley, Baly, Ballye, Bayllie and many more. Early Notables of the Balye familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was John Balliol King of Scotland from 1292-1296; Dr Richard Baylie (1585-1667), twice President of St John's College, Oxford, twice Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and Dean of Salisbury; John Bayley (died 1611), an English politician, Mayor of Salisbury in 1587, Member of the Parliament for Salisbury in 1589; Robert Baillie of Jerviswood (1632-1684), a civil and religious reformer, eventually put to death for his outspokenness; Robert Baillie (Baillie of Jerviswood) (ca.1634-1684), a Scottish conspirator implicated in the Rye House Plot against King Charles...
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Balye Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Balye family to Ireland
Some of the Balye family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 174 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Balye familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Balyes to arrive on North American shores: Mary Bailey, who was listed as being in Virginia in the year 1619; Jonas Bailey, who was recorded in Maine in 1634; James Baillou who settled in Georgia in 1733 with his wife and son, Elizabeth, Mathew, Matty, Stewart, William Bailie, who all arrived in Philadelphia in 1804. John, Joseph, Mathew, Robert, Samuel, Thomas, Walter, William Bailey, who arrived in Pennsylvania between 1770 and 1840. Several of the name came to Newfoundland. Among them were Richard Bayly, who settled in Bay de Verde in 1675.
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: Ubi bene ibi patria
Motto Translation: One's country is where one is well.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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England
Ireland
Scotland
