Surname Balß - Meaning and Origin

Balß: What does the surname Balß mean?

The last name Balß is of German origin and is believed to have originated in the 12th century. The surname literally means “maker of barrels”, and is likely to be descriptive of a particular occupation, as barrel makers were often found in Germany around that time.

The German word “Balß” is believed to have come from the Middle High German word “baltzen” which means “to of cut of round pieces”. This was a technique used by coopers to create barrels and other round containers for storing materials such as salt, oils, and alcoholic beverages. This process was especially important for Germany’s beer-making industry, as beer was stored and transported in wooden barrels. Therefore, someone with the surname Balß was likely to have been employed as a barrel maker.

Throughout the centuries, many people with the surname Balß have been documented in German records. This includes people from all walks of life, from artists to businessmen to doctors. Those with the surname Balß today can trace their ancestry back to Germany, although many have since emigrated to other countries around the world.

The surname Balß is a testament to the importance of cooperage in Medieval Europe and to the many skilled craftsmen who contributed to the beer-making industry of Germany for centuries.

Balß: Where does the name Balß come from?

The last name Balß is most commonly found today in Germany and Austria. Balß is a German surname derived from the Middle High German 'volt' and is an occupational surname likely referring to a soldier. Given the origins of the last name, it is no surprise that it is most commonly found in German-speaking countries.

In Austria, Balß appears 9 times per million inhabitants in 2019. In Germany, Balß is recorded as being the 1116th most common surname with 899 people per million bearing the name. Balß is particularly prevalent in the state of Berlin where it is recorded as the 176th most common surname.

Apart from Central Europe, Balß is sparsely found in many other countries such as the United States, Italy, Brazil, Slovakia, and Hungary. The United States currently records the second highest number of Balß's per million with 40 people, followed by Brazil with 18 people. It is also found in Canada, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, but with fewer numbers per million.

The spread of Balß outside of Europe is largely attributed to the diasporas of the 18th and 19th centuries. A number of Balßs arrived in the United States in the mid-19th century from Austria, while others arrived as labourers to work in the steel mills shortly after the turn of the 20th century.

Therefore, Balß is primarily found in Germany and Austria, where it is recorded to be moderately common. However, it is important to note that Balß has spread beyond the German-speaking countries and can now be found in various parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Balß

The Balß surname is of German origin and has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

The most common variant of the surname is the original spelling, "Balß." This spelling is commonly found in Germany, Austria, and in other parts of continental Europe. Other variants of the name include Bals, Balz, Balsa, Balsdorf, Balst, Balser, Balster, and Balso.

Some people also spell the surname "Bahlz," a more modernized version of the original name found mainly in Germany. The variants Balzer and Bahlzer are also closely related and are both primarily found in Germany. The variant "Balz" is also found in Germany, as well as Switzerland.

The surnames Belz, Belzer, and Beelz can also be traced to this origin, though they are not as common. Additional variations of the Balß surname are Blasse, Baols, Balsal, and Balsoh.

The Balß surname is quite rare, but its variants and spellings can be found in many countries, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other parts of continental Europe. No matter the variant or spelling, Balß is a surname that originates from German ancestry.

Famous people with the name Balß

• Prof. Dr. Franz Balß: German Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop Emeritus of Hamburg, who served as Bishop of Mainz from 1981 to 1990.
• Florian Balß: German actor; best known for his roles in the television series Tatort and Der Fahnder.
• Rudolf Balß: German biochemist; developed the first process for synthesizing isoamyl alcohol from starch in 1888.
• Johannes Balß: East German swimmer; competed in the 1932 Olympics and won two gold medals in the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay.
• Max Balß: German utopian thinker; wrote a book titled “The Despotic State and Its Destruction” in 1907.
• Gottfried Balß: German entomologist; specialized in the study of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths).
• Ferdinand Balß: German theologian and preacher; founder of the Bethany Association, promoting Christian values.
• Johanna Balß: German opera singer; performed as a prima donna soprano in numerous Dresden and Hamburg productions.
• Ernst Balß: Austrian politician; served as Federal Minister of Education in the 1920s.
• Karl Balß: German linguist; studied South American dialects in the late 19th century.

Other surnames

BalßenBalßerBalßuweit