Surname Balls - Meaning and Origin
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Balls: What does the surname Balls mean?
The last name Balls is believed to have originated from two possible sources. First, it could have referred to an individual or family who had connections to a place called Ball, or Bale, which can be found in England, Scotland, and Ireland. The name literally means “the clearing,” indicating that it was a settlement that was cleared from the forest for people to live in. Alternatively, the last name Balls could have been derived from the name of a knight, Bal, or Baile. This name was often associated with a place called Balne, which is an old English term for a field or meadow, indicating that the first individuals to take the surname were associated with fields or meadowlands. Finally, the last name Balls could have been derived from the Middle English phrase “by the bale,” which was used to indicate a rolled bundle of goods. In this case, it could refer to those who make a living transporting and selling bundles of goods. Regardless, it’s likely that the first individuals to take the last name Balls were connected with either settlements, fields or meadows, or the transport of goods.
Order DNA origin analysisBalls: Where does the name Balls come from?
The surname Balls is most commonly found in Great Britain and Ireland, particularly in counties in Southwest and Southeast England, such as Devon, Dorset and Essex. In Ireland, the Balls surname is mainly associated with the county of Mayo and the areas of Sligo and Ulster.
The Balls surname also appears in records in the United States, where the family largely emigrated from Britain and Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the US, the surname can be found scattered throughout different regions of the country, including in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York.
In terms of international presence, the surname Balls can also be found in Commonwealth countries, such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Records indicate that immigrant families bearing the name Balls arrived in these countries largely during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Balls name was prevalent in ancient Scotland, but it has not been found in Scotland since the seventeenth century. As such, the surname is relatively rare and its frequency diminishes as you move away from its established strongholds in the UK and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Balls
The surname Balls is said to originate from various locations across the United Kingdom. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bolla", which translates to the word "bagel". It is most likely a nickname for someone who was round or plump.
Variants of the surname Balls include Ball, Bale, Boal, Boall, Bool, Bohall, Boul, Bowell, Bowil, Bowill, Buhall, Buhl, and Buhll. Spellings can differ, such as Bals, Bails, Baols, Bawlls, and Balles.
Surnames with origins in the same location may have similar names. In Ireland, the surname is associated with names such as Bolger, Baller, Brenane, and Breheny. In Scotland, the surname is associated with names such as Ballantyne, Ballingall, McBall, and MacBolle. In the United States, the surname has been changed and adapted over the years, producing names such as Bolster, Beltz, Boal, and Bel.
The surname Balls has been an interesting part of history and has generated different versions of its name that are still used today.
Famous people with the name Balls
- Larry Balls: Former Professional Baseball Player
- Mike Balls: Former Professional Basketball Player
- Tim Balls: Former Professional Football Player
- Nancy Balls: Retired Basketball Player and Coach
- Billy Balls: Professional Rock Musician
- John Balls: Retired Football Player, Commentator, and Analyst
- David Balls: British Comedian and Television Presenter
- Jessica Balls: Boxer and Mixed Martial Artist
- Chris Balls: Actor and Comedian
- J.K. Rowling: Novelist and Screenwriter