Family name origins & meanings
- Of uncertain origin; perhaps a respelling of Ballou or Bellew. As an American surname, Ballow(e) seems to have become inextricably mixed up with several similar names. For example, a census compilation from Albemarle County, VA, in 1785 lists Peter and Solomon Ballow; another, from 1787, lists them as Peter and Sollomon Belew. A will book from Halifax County, VA includes, dated June 26, 1809, ‘Inventory of Thomas Ballow (Ballou)’.