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Archiver > SURNAME-ORIGINS > 2006-06 > 1151078345


From: Jennifer <>
Subject: Re: Balat
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 09:07:56 -0700


The Oxford Names Companion (2002 Hanks,Hodges, et. al) shows the
following for Balat (as a variation of Vallat):

*Vallat* Provençal topographic name for someone who lived by a ditch,
OProv. *vallat* (LL *vallatum*, a deriv. of *vallum* palisade,
fortification composed of both a mound and a ditch)

Vars.: Valat, Val(l)adier, Val(l)ayer, Balat, Albalat, Delbalat (Gascony)

Jennifer
Vancouver Island


Does anyone know the origin or meaning of the name "Balat". This name
is uncommon. It is the maiden name of my wife whose ancestors
originated in Central Europe. The only information I have found is that
Balat is a male Turkish first name meaning honey colored horse. It is
also the name of an area and a village in Turkey, as well as the Jewish
quarter of Istanbul. However, I also spoke to an Italian whose name was
Balata and who thought her name derived from "Ballata", Italian for
dancing (English ballad). I have been told by Hungarians that it is not
a Hungarian name so cannot derive from Lake Balaton (Plattensee). Does
anyone have an idea?

George Campbell

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