2,586 Global Balk Family Members

Balk Family History

This interesting topographical name is of Olde English pre 10th century origin and derives from 'Balca', which translates as the ridge or possibly a bridge formed with tree trunks. The name can also be locational and derive from the village of Balk, near to Thirsk in North Yorkshire, the meaning being the same. In the modern idiom, the spellings are recorded as Balk, Balke, and Baulk and it is possible that some derive from the Dutch-Flemish 'Balk', heraldically recorded before 1680, the Coat of Arms being blue, charged with a gold fesse between a knights spur and two acorns.