Balven History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The surname Balven is a ancient Westphalian patronymic name. Names derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer are called patronymic, while names derived from the given name of the mother are called metronymic. Balven comes from the Germanic personal name Baldawin, which in turn derives from the Gothic word Balths, the Old German word bald, and the German balt, which mean courageous. The names Baldawin and Baldwin translate into courageous friend, from bald, which means courageous and wini, which means friend.

Early Origins of the Balven family

The surname Balven was first found in Westphalia, where the name Belven made a great early contribution to the feudal society of early Europe. The name Belven became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses where family members continued to play important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts which erupted as each group vied for enhanced power and status in an ever changing territorial profile.

Early History of the Balven family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balven research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Balven History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balven Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Balven include Belven, Bellven, Belvenn, Bellvenn, Bellvens, Belvens, Belver, Bellver, Belvers, Bellvers, Belvel, Bellvel, Belvele, Bellvele, Balven, Balver, Balvel, Balvele, Baelven, Baelver, Baelvel and many more.

Early Notables of the Balven family

More information is included under the topic Early Balven Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Balven family

After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them: Bevis Belver who arrived in Virginia in 1643; and other settlers who established themselves along the eastern coasts of the United States and Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries..

Contemporary Notables of the name Balven (post 1700) +

Terry Balven, American Air Force Colonel