Surname Bals - Meaning and Origin
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Bals: What does the surname Bals mean?
The last name Bals has a few possible origins. It is most commonly associated with Germanic roots and is believed to be derived from the word “Bald”, meaning bold or brave. This could originally have been a surname given to those of brave character or someone who had displayed heroic deeds. The German word “Bals” also mean “brave”.
The name could also be of Dutch origin and derived from the word “Balsen” which means “to dance or swing”. This may refer to a dancer or have been a surname given to a family known for their love of music and dance.
The Last Name Bals is also believed to have a Belgian and French origin, derived from the last name “Basten” or “Baten”. This could refer to a person who was a stringed instrument maker or someone who played stringed instruments.
The last name Bals is also used as a surname in India, derived from the name “Pal” meaning “protector”. It could also be derived from “Vals”, meaning “dancer” in Tamil.
The Scottish and Irish version of the name is “Bawls”, meaning “a boy”.
Overall, the last name Bals is rooted in different languages and cultures, making its exact origin difficult to trace. The surname could refer to a brave individual, a dancer, a stringed instrument maker or a protector.
Order DNA origin analysisBals: Where does the name Bals come from?
The last name Bals is commonly found in Luxembourg today, where it originated. As of 2015, it is the 185th most common last name in the country. It is estimated that there are at least 1000 bearers of the name Bals currently living in Luxembourg. The name is also found in the neighboring countries of France, Germany, and Belgium.
The usage of Bals as a surname became prominent in the mid-19th century. It is a habitational name derived from the small village of Bals in the commune of Schuttrange, located in the central part of Luxembourg. The earliest mention of the village dates back to 1082 AD and was known as Balso.
In the United States, the last name Bals is seen much less commonly than in Luxembourg. According to the 2010 US Census, there were 310 people living in the United States with the last name Bals. This name is most commonly found in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
The meanings of the name vary slightly with location, but in general it is thought to mean 'farm at a hillside'. Today, the descendants of the Bals family have spread across many countries, and its origin still remains in the small village of Bals, Luxembourg.
Variations of the surname Bals
The surname Bals is a common Dutch patronymic surname with roots originating in medieval French. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Bals include Baul, Ball, Balle, Baiul, Bael, Baill, Bail, Bale, Baillou, Bal, Baille, Bauel, Bauill, Baule, Baux, Bau, and Baune.
The original French form of the surname Bals was de Baille or de la Baille. This was a common name for people from places beginning with “Baille” such as Bailleul, Bailleu, Bailleau, and Bailleaud. These names were derived from the Old French word, bail meaning “estate” or “enclosed parcel of land”. The suffix “-eau” was added to the French root “bail” and means “small” or “little”. Therefore, the name meant “little estate” or “small enclosed parcel of land”.
In the 15th century, the surname Bals underwent further transformations as people moved and settled in various parts of Europe. Variations Baul and Bals began to appear in Holland while variations Balle and Bal were found in Germany. The surname Bauel (Baujel, Bauell) developed in Belgium and Bauill (Bauyuel) in Northern France.
Variations in spelling were also common in British documents. In some cases, the spelling became simplified to Ball, Bale, and Bail. Other variations in Scotland and Ireland included Baille and Bailou. In the 20th century, further variations were created by the addition of prefixes such as O’Bail and MacBail and by anglicizing the names with the addition of the letter “s” (e.g. Balls).
Famous people with the name Bals
- Hannelore Bals: German high-jump coach.
- Simon Bals: American experiment musician and songwriter.
- Mathias Bals: Dutch footballer who plays for Volendam FC.
- Jules Bals: Belgian F1 driver who competed during the 1970s.
- Ludovalar Bals: Czechoslovakian diver who competed in the 1936 Olympic Games.
- Richard Bals: Swiss footballer who represented his country in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
- Torsten Bals: German composer and conductor who wrote over 150 works.
- Vera Bals: Soviet space scientist and one of the first to research the cosmos.
- Carl Bals: United States Marine Corps officer and Medal of Honor recipient. 10.Linda Bals: Norwegian singer-songwriter and actress.