Surname Balss - Meaning and Origin
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Balss: What does the surname Balss mean?
The last name Balss has German origins. This name was likely derived from the German word “balz,” which means “mighty and strong.” It is believed that the original immigrants to Germany with this name were likely either military, farmers or tradesmen. This is because the root word “balz” was taken from a word in a German dialect that was used to describe things like a powerful farmer, mighty horseman, or a resourceful craftsman.
The Balss family likely situated within central Germany, and derived from the Prussian-Polish region. During this time, they were known for their loyalty and represented nobility and leadership in their community. During the far-reaching empire of the 1800s, many Balss’s began to spread to Europe and overseas. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Balss’s migrated to the United States for work reasons and to find prospects.
Today, Balss is a common surname and is not exclusive to any one region or country. Balss is sometimes spelled with different variations (e.g. Bahls, Bals, Baulz) depending on the region. Despite this, the name carries the same connotation of strength and force that the original word “balz” did. However, it’s variations are few and far between, meaning it is likely that anyone still carrying the surname today is a direct descendant of the original people who held the name.
Order DNA origin analysisBalss: Where does the name Balss come from?
The surname Balss is generally considered to be of German origin, tracing back to the Middle High German 'balz', meaning 'flat and open area'. Today, this surname is most common in Germany, with the highest population in Hamburg and Berlin. It's also relatively common in Austria, Switzerland and a few other countries in Europe.
Outside of Europe, Balss is found in small numbers in the United States and Canada. Specifically, in the US, the largest concentrations of this surname are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and in California. It's also present in small numbers in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Balss is also present in smaller numbers in Canada, with the most substantial population in Ontario.
In addition to being a popular surname in several countries, Balss is also the name of multiple Germanic towns, including Balts in Schleswig-Holstein, and Balt in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in Germany.
Given its German origins and concentration in Germany, it's not surprising that this is the most common place to find this surname. However, with the migration of people over centuries, it has become distributed in smaller numbers to various other areas, and is no longer exclusive to German-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Balss
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Balss include Bals, Baals, Baalss, Baalsz, Balse, Balzar, Balce, Bales, Balser, Bauls, Balduff, Balcke, and Balcer.
The surname Balss is of German, Dutch, and Jewish origins and may have originated from the German language when it was first used as an occupational name for someone involved in producing things from a drum (such as a cooper), or for someone believed to bring luck and fortune. This would be an appropriate surname for a cooper, for example, a metalworker who makes vessels, tubs, or barrels from tree-stumps or trunks.
The variants Bals, Baalss, and Bauls likely originate from the German-language word balsam, which means ‘balm’ or ‘baling’. This could refer to someone who sewed, plaited, braided, and wove materials for making containers such as baskets or packages.
The variants Balzar, Balce, Bales, and Balser likely originate from a Jewish word of Germanic origin, balzer, which means ‘crow’ or ‘raven’ and was an appropriate surname for a bird-trainer or falconer.
The variant Balduff likely originates from the German word Baldauf, which is derived from the words bald and der auf, meaning ‘lord of the woods’. This could refer to a woodcutter or lumberjack.
The variants Balcke and Balcer likely originate from the German word balgen, which means ‘to wrestle or wrangle’. This could be an appropriate last name for a wrestler or wrestler.
Famous people with the name Balss
- Ralf Balss: German theologian, professor, and Lutheran pastor known for writing the concluding volume about the history of the Christian Church from 1914 to 1961.
- Eric Balss: German football coach and manager who coached several Bundesliga teams during his career.
- Heinz Balss: German chemist and electrochemist born in Berlin who assisted in the development of modern chemistry.
- Peter Balss: German author and scientist who wrote a variety of medical texts and was an expert on the Electron microscope.
- Robert Balss: German artist and illustrator responsible for creating propaganda posters to fuel and inspire Germany's war effort.
- Uli Balss: German entrepreneur and one of the founders of the international fashion house, Escada.
- Konrad Balss: German brokage trader and international investor who founded and chaired the board of directors for a Frankfurt-based commodities firm.
- Nicolas Balss: German musician, singer, and songwriter who has released several albums and has received several awards for his work.
- Gunter Balss: German politician who served as mayor of Dusseldorf, chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and minister-president of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Andrea Balss: German swimmer and part of Germany's relay team who set several world records.