Surname Ballas - Meaning and Origin
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Ballas: What does the surname Ballas mean?
Ballas is a surname of British origin. It is derived from the Old French word balast, which means gravel. The word ballas was also used to describe ships from the British Isles, which were in service during the 12th and 13th centuries. The first recorded mention of the name was in 1219, when a William de Ballas was noted as being part of the army of King John of England.
Through the ages the name has been altered in spelling and pronunciation (resulting in variations like Balles, Ballas, and Balle), but has generally remained the same in meaning. It is believed to be the origin of several other surnames, including Ballew and Ballweg.
Today, the name is primarily found in the United States and Ireland. It is most commonly found in the south of England, as well as in the border areas of Scotland and Wales. It has also been noted in parts of Europe and Australia.
Overall, the surname has remained relatively rare, though it does have some presence as a first name. In modern times, the last name Ballas can be used in a variety of contexts, from people looking to celebrate their heritage to parents looking for a unique and interesting name for their child.
Order DNA origin analysisBallas: Where does the name Ballas come from?
The last name Ballas is a relatively unusual, but very ancient last name. It is likely that the Ballas family dates back to the ancient Greek and Roman empires. Today, the Ballas name is most common in parts of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. In Europe, Ballas can be found most frequently in Greece, but also in other countries such as Bulgaria, Italy, and Portugal.
In terms of North Africa, many members of the Ballas family are living in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria. The Ballas presence is particularly strong in Egypt, with some estimates suggesting that as much as 2% of the population may have traces of the Ballas name.
In the Middle East, the Ballas surname is most frequently found in countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, and the UAE, with many members of the family having emigrated from Europe in modern times. Furthermore, Ballas is present in parts of Central Asia, including Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Finally, it is possible that the Ballas name could also be found in the United States, although the number of individuals with the surname is likely to be relatively small. The Ballas family may have a presence in the US due to migration from Europe and North Africa, as well as the fact that the name could have been adopted by other cultures such as Native American categories.
Variations of the surname Ballas
Ballas is a surname of multiple origins. It is a French, Jewish, German, and American slang term all derived from the German word “ball”, meaning “dance.”
The French version of Ballas is Ballaz and its variants. These include Ballas, Balles, Ballesz, and Ballaz. These are mostly found in the western regions of France.
The Jewish version of Ballas is Balleis and its variants, which include Balle, Ballez, and Balleis. These are found mainly amongst Jews of Central and Eastern European descent.
The German version of Ballas is Balla and its variants, which include Balas, Balle, Balles, Ballesz, Baller, Balmer, and Balleriti. These are found primarily in Germany and Austria.
In America, Ballas was a slang term for “dance” which became associated with a certain style of music and dance popularized by the blues. From this term the surnames Baller, Ballerini, and Balls are derived.
Overall, the surname Ballas has many different spellings and variants across multiple regions and cultures. It is an interesting testament to the diversity of language that one name can mean many different things in different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Ballas
- Mark Ballas: Professional dancer, singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and choreographer best known for his appearances on the ABC network’s Dancing with the Stars.
- Joanne Ballas: Canadian country music artist who has released five studio albums and a greatest hits compilation.
- Art Ballas: American Emmy Award-winning choreographer and the founder of the Ballas Hough Band.
- Julian Ballas: Greek artist whose work was inspired by the Impressionist and Pointillist schools of painting.
- Ashley Ballas: Golfer who has competed in several professional tournaments, including the LPGA and Symetra Tour.
- Pauline Ballas: Greek actress who has appeared in films such as Clash of the Warlords and No Action Before Breakfast.
- John Ballas: Greek painter and sculptor known for his caricatures and sculptures of famous Greek faces.
- Kostas Ballas: Greek composer for film and television who has produced music for films such as The Perfectionist and Aparadeisos.
- Haris Ballas: Greek actor who has appeared in several horror films such as Black Soul and Curse of the Moon.
- Eleni Ballas: Greek writer who has penned several novels including She Was Supposed to be a Doll and The Colours of Corfu.