Balver History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Balver

What does the name Balver mean?

The surname Balver 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. Balver 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 Balver family

The surname Balver 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 Balver family

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

Balver Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Balver 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 Balver family

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

Migration of the Balver family

Many Germans emigrated across the Atlantic to seek better lives in North America. This great migration began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century. Resettlement was particularly attractive to those from Westphalia as a means of escape from poverty and religious persecution. For many Westphalian farmers, the chance to own one's own land was also a major incentive. The process of the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlements centered around Ontario and 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..