Surname Balduff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Balduff: What does the surname Balduff mean?
The last name Balduff is of Scottish origin, which means that its bearers are descended from families originally from Scotland. It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic given name Bàildubh, which consists of two elements: bal, meaning "valor" or "bravery"; and dubh, meaning "black".
Originally, the Balduffs were fierce warriors who defended their homeland against Viking raiders. Later, the Balduffs earned recognition as a prominent clan in Scotland. They held lands in various areas throughout the country, primarily in the Highlands, and even served as the constables and sheriffs of several of its towns.
In Scotland, the Balduff family name is an especially proud one. It connotes strength, courage, and the readiness to stand by one's convictions. Its bearers take part in many traditional Scottish events, such as Highland Gatherings, where they wear their distinctive tartan and regalia and uphold high standards of conduct.
The Balduffs have spread to other parts of the world, but all trace their roots back to Scotland. The family name can be found everywhere from the United Kingdom to the United States, where its bearers are proud to continue to nurture and promote its traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisBalduff: Where does the name Balduff come from?
The last name Balduff is most common today in North America, especially in the United States. It has roots in English and French ancestry, and its variants Balduf and Balduff are also widespread.
Between 1880 and 2019, Balduff was the 5,204th most popular name in the United States, with 1,181 registered with this surname, according to the US Census Bureau.
The last name Balduff is mainly concentrated in the Midwestern states, according to the 1990 United States Census. In Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa, Balduff had the greatest presence, with 1,098 of the 1,181 total Balduffs living in these states at the time.
Most of those with the last name Balduff are descended from Jacob Balduff, who immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1833. Many of his descendants are found today in the Midwest, primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area.
Today, there are more than 3,000 people who bear the last name Balduff living throughout the United States.
Variations of the surname Balduff
The surname Balduff is a variation of the surname Baldock, which originated in England. The original spelling of the surname was Balduf, which was later altered and became Balduff. This is one of the oldest recorded names in Britain and has been found as far back as 1273, when William de Balduff was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire.
There are a number of variants and spellings of the surname Balduff, some of which are Baldof, Balduf, Balduff, Baldocke, Baldeck, Baldick, and Baldick. The surnames Baldry and Boldry are also believed to be derived from the Balduff root.
The origin of the surname Balduff is uncertain, but some believe it is derived from an old English word, bald, which could mean 'brave' or 'bold'. Other theories suggest that it originated from a French word, balde, meaning 'land cleared of trees'. The surname could also be linked to the place name of Baldock in Hertfordshire.
The Balduff surname is found mostly in Britain, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. It is most common in the counties of Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire in England. It is also found in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In the United States, the Balduff surname is most common in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. Other states with a higher frequency of the Balduff surname include Florida, Georgia, New York, and California. Surnames as names are also a carry-over from the Balduff surname, some of which include Baldwin, Baldwyn, Balderson, Balderson, and Bolder.
Famous people with the name Balduff
- Susan Balduff: is an American actress, best known for her role as "Nancy" in the cult classic film Heathers
- Dennis Balduff: a Canadian ice hockey coach who won gold medal and two silver medals as an assistant coach with teams at the 2002 and 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- Jeff Balduff: a former American football linebacker who played in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots
- Bill Balduff: a retired American professional basketball player who played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks
- Parry Balduff: an American film director and producer best known for his work on the documentary “A Stranger in Paradise”
- Richard Balduff: an award-winning artist and stained glass craftsman
- Andrew Balduff: a convicted burglar from Ohio who was sentenced to twenty-five years in prison
- Laura Balduff: an American painter who is the recipient of several awards from prominent art organizations
- Amber Balduff: an American soccer player and former member of the US Women's National Team
- John Balduff Jr.: a network engineer from Maryland, in the US, and a self-professed fan of all things technology-related