Surname Ballnus - Meaning and Origin
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Ballnus: What does the surname Ballnus mean?
The last name Ballnus is a German name derived from the Middle High German word “ballen” which means "to dance", and the suffix “nus” which means “one who”. Essentially, Ballnus is an occupational surname meaning “one who dances”. It probably originated as a nickname for a person who was particularly skilled at dancing.
This surname can be traced back to the 12th century in Germany. The variant “Ballenus” was in recorded in documents in 1277 in Mainz, while the variant “Balnuß” was first recorded in 1294 in a list of contributing citizens in Güttigheim near Worms.
The Ballnus family seems to have been concentrated in the south-west Germany area around Heidelberg, and further traced to the Palatinate and Moselle regions of modern-day Germany. Further research shows that these regions are link to Jewish migrations on the Rhine, indicating that it may have been a Jewish family before converting to Christianity.
The Ballnus name has also travelled beyond Germany. Many people bearing the Ballnus name can be found in the records of Ellis Island, indicating that migrating Germans brought the name to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Whether the Ballnus surname was created out of admiration for a skilled dancer in the 12th century, or taken from a Jewish convertee in the speakeasies of Germany centuries later, we may never know. What we can be certain of is that the Ballnus family traces back to professional dancers who were admired for their skills.
Order DNA origin analysisBallnus: Where does the name Ballnus come from?
The last name Ballnus is most commonly found today in Germany and parts of Scandinavia. German records indicate that Ballnus is one of the oldest surnames in Germany, with the first bearers recorded in the late 12th century in Bavaria. It is likely that the surname was chosen to honor a prominent ancestor who held the title of Ballnus, which is derived from the Middle High German word “ballen”, which means to call or proclaim.
The surname Ballnus is today most often found in Germany, Austria, and other German-speaking areas of Central Europe. It is also fairly common in Poland and Scandinavia, especially in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, where it is spelled “Ballno.”
In recent years, the surname has spread to parts of North and South America, mostly through immigration. It is most commonly found in the United States, specifically in cities with large German populations, such as Milwaukee and St. Louis. It is also quite common in parts of Canada, especially in Ontario, where it ranks at the 30th most common surname.
Despite the spread of surnames outside of Germany and Europe, the traditional origin of the Ballnus name still remains tied to the German language and culture, where it is still quite common today.
Variations of the surname Ballnus
The surname Ballnus has several variants that refer to the same origin. The following is a list of the variations, spelling options and surnames with a similar origin to the surname Ballnus.
Variations: Balanus, Ballenus, Ballonus, Ballinus, Ballenius.
Spellings: Ballnus, Ballnous, Ballinus, Ballinous, Ballenus.
Surnames: Ballin, Bollen, Bollon, Boellin, Bolling, Bollinger, Bollenberger, Bollenbacher, Ballone, Ballan, Ballines, Ballinoff, Ballen, Ballonoff, Ballano, Ballinoff, and Bolenius.
The most common origin of the surname Ballnus is a combination of the old German words “ballen” meaning "strongly bound", and “hus” meaning “house." As such, the surname refers to a person who lives in a strongly bound house. The Ballnus surname is most commonly found among people with French and German heritage.
The variants, spellings and surnames with a similar origin to Ballnus allude to the same origin. These variations of the surname often reflect different dialects, pronunciations and personal preferences in spelling, resulting in a variety of versions of the same name.
Famous people with the name Ballnus
- Ximena Ballnus, contemporary Argentine poet and writer
- Stanley Ballnus, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
- Ace Ballnus, American professional wrestler and actor
- Jean-Francois Ballnus, French painter and sculptor
- Xander Ballnus, Danish folk singer-songwriter
- Marina Ballnus, American-born Mexican actress and choreographer
- John Ballnus, British Olympic gold medalist in figure skating
- William Ballnus, German-born American actor and director
- Klara Ballnus, Swedish costume designer
- Alfred Ballnus, Swiss conceptual artist and filmmaker