Surname Balthasar - Meaning and Origin

Balthasar: What does the surname Balthasar mean?

The last name Balthasar is of German origin, derived from the personal name Bartholomäus. This name is composed of the two elements barth- meaning “son of” and -olomäus for “Talmai” (alternatively, “of the furrow") doubling, in some variants, of the prominent Jewish high priest from the Gospels. Thus, the name as a whole served as an occupational name for a son of a Jewish priest. Additionally, it is possible that the French last name Balthasar was adopted in the Middle Ages by Christians when it is derived from “Baldasso”, an Italian given name composed of Germanic elements meaning “bold” and “protector”.

The German variant of the name is Balthasar and is used to refer to three wise men (from the east) mentioned in the Bible as having visited the infant Jesus on the day of his birth. It can also be translated to mean “God protect the king”. Today it is still popular throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, as well as in some parts of Latin America and the U.S.

Traditionally, the name Balthasar is associated with benevolence, strength, and perseverance. It speaks to maintaining one's courage in the face of obstacles and trials. People bearing the surname may be characterized as having a strong and unwavering commitment to justice, integrity, and loyalty. They may also have an independent streak, as the surname was adopted in the Middle Ages by Christians who chose independent thinking over established rules and customs.

Balthasar: Where does the name Balthasar come from?

The surname Balthasar is most commonly found in Germany and certain other parts of Europe. It is also occasionally encountered in the United States and Australia. The name is a German form of the Latin given name, "Balthasar". It is derived from the words “balthe” (bold) and “sar” (prince).

The use of the name Balthasar in Germany dates back to the Middle Ages. During this period, people with the surname were often given wages and held land. The surname also appeared in several documents related to the House of Hohenstaufen, an Imperial German dynasty whose members often used Latinized names. As a result of this, the surname Balthasar appeared in numerous records from this period.

In the United States, the name Balthasar can be traced back to German immigrants who arrived in the late 1800s. The name has remained relatively rare in the country, however.

Similarly, in Australia, Balthasar has been carried down from German settlers who arrived in the 19th century. The name remains uncommon in the nation, however, and is not highly concentrated in any one area.

Despite its relative rarity, the name Balthasar is still occasionally encountered in Germany, the United States, and Australia. It is a testament to its history that the name has been preserved in those regions to this day.

Variations of the surname Balthasar

The surname Balthasar is rooted in a Middle East variant of the name "Balthazar," originating from the Persian language. The alternate spellings of this surname are Balthazar, Baltasar, Baltsar, Balthasar, Belshazer, Beltasar, Beltsazar, and Baltazzar.

The Balthasar surname is mostly common in Germanic speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as in other minor countries.

A derivative of the Balthasar surname is Balsar, and Balser, which is mainly common in the German language. This surname is more closely related to the Middle East variant because it is a form of the Aramaic word "Belshazzar," which means "master of divine treasure."

The variants of Balthasar and its related surnames stem from Germanic language origins, such as the German language surname Bach and other similar surnames such as Buurchas, Baach, Baachs, and Bachmann. These surnames had variations dating as far back as the Middle Ages, evolving into different spellings such as detachment of the original spelling Balthasar.

The surname Balthasar is also found in English-speaking countries, where it may have taken on further variations such as Belsher and Belshaw. Furthermore, as many English-speaking countries colonized new world countries, the surname has even adopted local spellings such as Balzar and Baltazar.

Famous people with the name Balthasar

• Art Balthasar: Actor and writer
• Gilbert Balthasar: French TV host
• Ferd Balthasar: German politician
• André Balthasar: Belgian politician
• Tedd Balthasar: American television producer and writer
• Pandel Balthasar: Austrian Actor
• György Balthasar: Hungarian Actor
• Jean Balthasar: French actor
• Christian Balthasar: German actor
• Darius Balthasar: German singer
• Julian Balthasar: Austrian Actor
• Klaus Balthasar: German Resistance Fighter and Politician
• Katie Balthasar: American Actress
• Patrick Balthasar: Dutch Singer
• Mario Balthasar: Belgian Actor

Other surnames

Balthaser