Surname Baltzley - Meaning and Origin

Baltzley: What does the surname Baltzley mean?

The last name Baltzley is of German origin and is derived from the occupational name for one who made or sold belts. It is likely that the name was given to persons working in the leather industry. The name is from the Middle High German word ‘belz’, which was used to refer to a belt or girdle.

The name likely originated in the Rhineland region of Germany and spread to other parts of Europe in the Middle Ages as people relocated in search of work. This occupational name was popularly used by various tradesmen, such as armourers, saddlers, weavers, and other leather workers.

In modern times, the name Baltzley is associated with a range of professions, indicating that the original meaning of the surname has been lost. The name is sometimes used as a given name, and there are many people in America with the first name ‘Balthazey’.

Overall, the surname Baltzley indicates that the original bearer was likely a leatherworker from the Rhineland region of Germany in the Middle Ages. It has since evolved to take on different meanings associated with different professions in modern times.

Baltzley: Where does the name Baltzley come from?

The last name Baltzley is most commonly found in the United States where it ranks just over 5,000 in terms of popularity. Specifically, it can be found in large concentrations along the East Coast, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia. Historically, the family is thought to have come to the United States from southwestern Germany, and to have primarily settled in Pennsylvania. It is unclear how long the family has had the name Baltzley due to incomplete family records and research.

The family has a rich history in the United States where it has produced some of the country’s most notable citizens including Dr. Abraham Baltzley and Colonel Stephen Baltzley, both of whom played important roles in the American Revolution. The name Baltzley is still found in some of the same areas today with the majority of the family still residing along the East Coast.

The modern age has seen the Baltzley family spread out further with individuals having moved to places such as California, Arizona, and even Hawaii. Despite this move away from the traditional East Coast nest, the name Baltzley still carries a proud element of American history and remains a connection to our nation’s proud past.

Variations of the surname Baltzley

The variant spellings, surnames and the origins of the Baltzley surname vary.

In most cases, Baltzley is of British origin. In the United Kingdom, it is generally spelled as "Bolzley" or "Boltzly," and there are records of other variants such as Bolzlie, Bolcely and Bolceli. The 124-year-old book A Glossary of Suffolk Words and Phrases, provides a record of "Boltzly" being used in the county of Suffolk, England, in 1794.

In Germany, the Baltzley family originated from several separately-named towns. They often adopted titles or surnames based on the geography where they were from. As a result, the family name is spelled in various ways, such as Bultsly, Bolzle, Bolzlei, Boltsle, Balsel, Baltzle and Bolzley.

In the United States, Baltzley is among one of the earliest immigrants to settle in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 1666. The name was first found in these two colonies, and the spelling evolved over time, particularly after the American Revolution of the 1780s. Spellings like Baltzly, Bolzly, Belzley, Bolzly and Baltzley were most common.

Baltzley is a less common surname overall across all countries, with variants of the name being more commonly used. With its British origins, the Bolzley spelling is the most common spelling in the United Kingdom, while in the United States, the Baltzley spelling is the most common.

Famous people with the name Baltzley

• Ryan Baltzley: Ryan is an American contemporary artist, his works derived from digital technologies such as film, photography, and sound.
• John Baltzley: John is a recorded artist for the independent electronic music label Ghostly International.
• Glenn Baltzley: Glenn is a coach and mental health specialist. He specializes in helping his clients gain clarity, focus, and results through transforming fear and doubt into courage and action.
• Susan Baltzley: Susan is a congressional policy advisor and American diplomat.
• Adam Baltzley: Adam is a drummer and percussionist who has collaborated on hundreds of projects, ranging from film scores and commercial jingles to jazz, funk, and modern rock.
• Benjamin Baltzley: Benjamin is a professor of computer engineering at North Carolina State University.
• Marta Baltzley: Marta is a professor at Ohio University where she teaches ancient art history and archaeology.
• James Baltzley: James is an American entrepreneur and the co-founder of the production and interactive solution company, V-Squared Labs.
• Emma Baltzley: Emma is a professor of economics at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
• Jordan Baltzley: Jordan is a Senior Executive Vice President at PRG Lighting and Design.

Other surnames

BaltzleBaltzly