Surname Balog - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Balog: What does the surname Balog mean?
The last name Balog is derived from a Hungarian name, and has many variant spellings such as Balog, Balogu, Balogh, and Balazs. The name is thought to have originated with the name of an ancestor who was associated with a steep hill or valley, as "balog" in Hungarian translates to "a slope or ridge". The name most likely originated during the Magyar invasion of the Carpathian Basin in the 10th century.
The Balog family name has since spread into the various other countries Hungary has held influence in, including Austria, Bavaria, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Slovenia. As a result, the spelling of the name has changed to match the language of the country, such as Balazs in Croatia and Balkans in Bulgaria.
Today, the last name Balog is still found throughout these countries, most prominently in Hungary where the need to identify individuals by their family name is most strongly felt. The last name Balog represents centuries of Hungarian heritage and remains a unique identifier for members of the Balog family.
Order DNA origin analysisBalog: Where does the name Balog come from?
The last name Balog is most commonly found in Europe today. It is found mainly in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, although there are some Balogs living in other parts of the world, such as the United States. The name Balog likely has its origins in Slovakia, as there is a village in Slovakia called Balog nad Ipel.
Interestingly, Balog is also a distinct Slovakian dialect comprised of a mixture of Hungarian, Slovak, and German, and it is spoken in southwest Slovakia’s Nitra region. It is believed that the name Balog originated with a priest named Balog who lived in the area around 1730.
At present, the Balog family is most commonly found in Slovakia, with the highest concentrations being in the town of Vranov nad Topľou and the capital city, Bratislava. The majority of Balogs living in the United States are likely to have migrated in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Overall, the last name Balog is most prolific in Eastern Europe and the United States. Beyond that, occurrences of the name are rare, but there are still some Balogs living in various European countries and in isolated areas of the United States.
Variations of the surname Balog
The variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Balog are Balogh, Balczer, Balcer, Belache, Belocz, Balloch, and Ballocz.
Balog is an Eastern and Central European surname derived from the Hungarian word having the same spelling, which means ‘lorry driver.’ The earliest record of the name in Hungary is from the 15th century as Balocz. The name is among the most popular surnames in Hungary and Slovakia. It has also spread to other countries, such as the United States and Canada.
The more common variant of the Balog surname is Balogh. It is a habitational name derived from a place with the same name located near the town of Miskolcz in northern Hungary. This variant is also very common in Slovakia, with the earliest record of the name from the 14th century.
The variant Belache, Belocz, and Balloch have been recorded in Hungary since the 16th century. The Balloch spelling is found especially in neighbouring Czechia and Slovakia. The Balczer spelling is mainly recorded in Austria and Germany.
Overall, the Balog surname is very common in Hungary, Slovakia, and the neighbouring countries. The various spellings of the surname vary by country, but all are believed to have the same origin.
Famous people with the name Balog
- Steve Balog: a retired American soccer midfielder
- James Balog: a wildlife photographer, environmentalist, and activist
- Rosemary Balog: an American author
- Peter Balog: an American film actor
- Maureen Balog: a half-eastern European, half-American professional wrestler
- János Balog: a Hungarian football manager
- Ondrej Balog: a Czech model and actor
- Anna Balog: a Slovak Bottle Designer
- Paulette Balog: an American television and film actress
- Máté Balog: a Hungarian-American soccer player
- Jeff Balog: an American filmmaker and producer