Ball Coat of Arms
Arms: Argent, a lion passant sable, on a chief of the second three mullets of the first
Crest: Out of the clouds ppr; a demi-lion rampant, sable, powdered with etoils, holding a globe.
Motto: Coelum qui tueri - "behold the heavens"
Ball Name Origins
Note: Lord of the Manor of Barkham, Berkshire, England. The surname "Ball" is probably a shortened form of "Baldwin" dating from Norman times meaning "one who is bold enough to win in battle". For many generations the Baldwins were Counts of Flanders. The shortened variations of the spelling included "Baell", "Ball",and Balle". John Balle, born 1263 in Norfolk County, England, is one of the earliest recorded but with very little information. The "Mad Preacher of Kent", John Ball, is the most recorded following John Balle. Having great disdain for royalty while preaching "equality among men" and believing no man had the right to set himself as master of others, he was beheaded by Richard II, King of England in 1381. [source: AFT The Families of Pacetti/Cowart/Ball/Putnam]