Surname Blau - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Roots of the Surname 'Blau': An Insightful Journey with iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a DNA analysis journey with iGENEA opened up fascinating insights into the origins and lineage of my family name, Blau. Tracing its roots back to medieval Germany, connecting to the craft of dyeing or weaving blue fabric, and discovering distant cousins, the experience was a profound journey into my past and my belonging.

P. Blau

Blau: What does the surname Blau mean?

Blau is a German surname which means "blue" in English. The name is believed to have been originally used as a nickname, possibly for someone who habitually wore blue clothes or for someone with blue eyes. The color blue held significant symbolic meaning in medieval Europe, often representing traits of loyalty, chastity, faith, and eternity. It's also worth noting that certain professions such as dyeing were associated with the color blue. A family might have acquired this surname due to ancestors who were involved in creating blue dyes or producing blue-colored materials. Like many European surnames, it became hereditary, with children inheriting their parent's surname. Today, people with the surname Blau can be found across the world, though it remains more common in Germany and European countries.

Blau: Where does the name Blau come from?

The surname Blau originates from Germany and is derived from the German word 'blau' which means 'blue'. It was initially used as a nickname for people who habitually wore blue clothes or had blue eyes. In some instances, it could also be a shortened form of 'Blaukopf', a nickname for a person with blueish, pale complexion or a peevish disposition.

Today, the surname Blau is widespread in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, due to emigration patterns over the centuries, this surname can also be found in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and other countries where people of German descent have settled. Overall, it is less common as a last name but still sees prevalence in these regions. The frequency of the surname Blau might be sparse in individual countries, but collectively it's popular throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Blau

The surname of Blau may have a number of variations due to regional dialects, historical shifts in language, or simplification over time. The name itself is of German origin and means 'blue', possibly referring to a person with blue eyes or someone who frequently wore blue clothing.

Variants and similar surnames of the same origin include Blauer, Blaue, Blauw, Blaum, Blou, Blowe, and Blaues. Other surnames include Blaul and Blaus. It's also possible that some names with similar meaning from other languages could have been anglicized to Blau, such as the French surname Bleu or the Italian surname Azzurro.

Different spellings of Blau might be influenced by the region and language of the person recording the name. Therefore, Blou, Bleau, Bloo could be variations as well. Additionally, some people may have same-origin surnames that reference 'blue' in a context other than color, such as the German surname Blaumann ('blue man'), which typically referred to a worker who wore a blue uniform.

Remember that spelling variants could also be due to transcription errors on historical documents or simplifications over time. Therefore, tracing the history of a surname like Blau may require attention to these different factors.

Famous people with the name Blau

• Connie Blau: An actress in the movie "The New York City Woman" (1977).
• Irving Blau: An actor known for "Peninsula of Graves" (1950).
• Julian Blau: An actor, known for "Madamigella di Maupin" (1966).
• Carl Blau: A music department executive for the movie "Angel and Big Joe" (1975).
• Andrew Blau: Known for his role in producing, directing, and writing "My Sexuality: A Sensory Experience" (1975).
• Jordan Blau: Cinematographer for the production "Murder for Two" (2014).
• Seth Blau: An actor known for his work in "Daddy Day Care" (2003).
• Scott Blau: A writer and actor known for "Mad World" (2010).
• Gershon Blau: An actor recognized for "Sh'Chur" (1994).
• Eric Blau: Known for his work in writing and producing, with notable work in "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" (1975).
• Georg Blau: An actor marked for his work in "Undine" (1916).
• Marcelo Blau: A producer known for "El caso María Soledad" (1993).
• Sigmund Blau: An actor recognized for "Hoch klingt der Radetzkymarsch" (1958).
• Orlando Blau: A cinematographer recognized in the German film industry.
• Hans-Jürgen Blau: A significant German actor.
• Dan Blau: A global head of consulting for IDEO.

Other surnames

BlaBlaasBlaberBlacaghBlacairBlacareBlachBlachaBlachutBlackBlack SeaBlackabyBlackadarBlackadderBlackaderBlackallBlackbeardblackburnBlackburneBlackeBlackebyBlackelyBlackerBlackerbyBlacketerBlackettBlackhallBlackhamBlackie