Surname Blas - Meaning and Origin
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Blas: What does the surname Blas mean?
The last name Blas is one of many Spanish and Portuguese patronymic surnames which originally stem from personal names associated with the name Blasius. This Latin name ultimately derives from the ancient Greek “Blasios”, which is composed of two parts, “blas” and “ios”. The former component is thought to derive from “bluos” meaning lisp or stammer, or possibly “bluo” meaning “to bind”, while the latter component translates roughly to “son”. As such, the name translates to something akin to “son of the lisper” or “son of one who binds”.
In Spain, the surname Blas is among the most frequently found. It is thought to have been borne by early Christian converts, with several individuals known to have borne the name in the 6th and 7th centuries throughout the south of Spain. In Portugal, the surname is somewhat less common but still relatively well-known. Other variants such as Blass, Blaise, and Blasco are also found in these countries.
Outside of Spain and Portugal, the surname Blas has been borne by immigrants to other lands, most notably Latin America. Several individuals with this surname are known to have resettled in countries such as Venezuela, Mexico, Uruguay, and even the United States. It is then common to find individuals with this surname throughout various parts of the world.
In summary, the surname Blas is of Spanish and Portuguese origin and can be found widely throughout various parts of the world. It is thought to have originally translated to “son of the lisper” and is descended from the ancient Greek name Blasius. It is found in both Spain and Portugal, and can also be found in many countries outside of these two, due to migrations in search of new opportunities in life.
Order DNA origin analysisBlas: Where does the name Blas come from?
The last name Blas is most commonly found today in Latin America, particularly in the countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. This popular name is of Spanish origin, though it has spread to other parts of the world.
In Spain itself, it was a well-known last name in the 19th century and earlier. Its origin lies in the ancient people of Galicia, and from there it spread throughout Spain and then the Hispanic world. It is a locational name, referring to the town of Lalneau, which lies on the Portuguese-Spanish border.
In the United States, the last name Blas is most commonly associated with those who have come from Latin American countries. It is also possible that it came to the United States with immigrants from Spain, as it is a popular name in both countries.
In Mexico, it is also a frequently used name. The census of 2020 reported a relatively large number of people with the name Blas in the country, likely due to Mexico’s proximity to Spain in comparison to the other countries with high populations of people with this surname.
The last name Blas has a long history which stretches back to the ancient world, and it continues to be a popular name among Spanish speaking countries and the United States today.
Variations of the surname Blas
The surname Blas is an ancient European name originating in Spain. Its variations can be found throughout the Spanish-speaking world and beyond. Common variants of the name include Blass, Blaz, Blaise, Blayze, Blaze, Blasz, and Blasco.
In its original Spanish form, the pronunciation of the surname is roughly “BLAHS”. In Latin American countries, however, the surname is sometimes pronounced with a long “A” sound, such as “BLAHS-eh”.
A number of other surnames have the same origin as Blas. Variations such as Blasi, Bles, and Blantz are derived from the same root. Closer derivatives also exist, such as LeBlanc, Blanc, and Blanco. These surnames suggest a shared history, indicating that they originated as derivations of Blas.
In addition to changes in pronunciation, different spellings and cultural influences may have also led to the creation of multiple surnames. Blaz, for example, is most likely derived from the medieval French spelling of Blas. The spelling Blayze likely originated due to regional adaptation, with influences from Greek and Slavic languages.
Given its Mediterranean influence, many variations of the surname Blas have also emerged throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Popular variants in Arabic and Hebrew speaking countries include Blaul, Bleik, and Bleiksimon.
Overall, the surname Blas is found in many different cultures around the world. Its various spellings and pronunciations largely reveal the migration of its Spanish origin and the assimilation of influence from other languages and regions.
Famous people with the name Blas
- Kiana Blas: Filipino American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- José Blas: Cuban footballer who has served as a goalkeeper for the Cuban national team.
- Julanne Chidi Hill: American actress best known for her roles as Francine Webster in the ABC family drama Switched at Birth and Officer Harper Sheridan in the first season of Supergirl.
- Patricia Blas-US based powerhouse vocalist and multi instrumentalist.
- Ligia Blas: Honduran politician and member of the Partido de Lavo Nacional Hondurano (PLN) and politician.
- Gabriel S. Blas: Puerto Rican boxer and member of the Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC).
- Arturo Blas: Venezuelan former professional footballer who made over 400 overall appearances for the national team.
- Alvaro Blas: Spanish football coach and former goalkeeper who is the current manager of Elche FC.
- Blaze: Jamaican dancehall deejay.
- Marcela Blas: Dominican supermodel and actress.