Last Name Belfort

The surname Belfort is of French origin. It is derived from a place-name that originally referred to a fortified place, such as a castle or tower, which was located near a river bend (French: belle forte). The name may have been occupational, indicating a guard at such a fortification. It is also possible that the name could have originated from various places named Belfort in France. However, it is important to note that surnames can and often do change over time, so variations or derivations of this name may have different origins.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Belfort

The meaning and origin of the last name Belfort

The surname Belfort is of French origin, specifically from the Normandy region. It derives from the Old French "bel" meaning beautiful or fine, and "fort" referring to a strong or fortified place. Over time, it has been anglicized to various forms such as Balfour, Belfor, or Belphort. The name likely originally referred to someone who lived in a beautiful or important fortified location, or alternatively, it could have been a nickname for someone considered strong and powerful like a fortress. The surname Belfort is relatively rare compared to other French surnames but has been recorded in various European countries where French settlers have migrated, such as England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.

Geographical distribution of the last name Belfort

The surname Belfort has a significant presence primarily in France, where it originated, with the highest concentration found in the region of Alsace-Champagne Ardenne. Its frequency in other French regions like Picardy, Lorraine, and Rhône-Alpes is also notable. Beyond France, the Belfort name can be found in various parts of Europe, including Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, due to historical migrations. In North America, the distribution of the surname Belfort is more concentrated in the United States, particularly in states with a high French-American population such as Louisiana, Missouri, and Illinois. Additionally, there are pockets of the name in Canada, primarily in Quebec and Ontario. The global dispersal of the Belfort family reflects historical migration patterns, cultural diffusion, and genealogical developments over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Belfort

The surname Belfort has several variations and spellings, largely due to differences in transcription and translation over time and across geographical regions. Some common variations include: Belfortt, Belfort, Bellfort, Belfor, Bellfor, and Bellowfort. These variations can be found among different cultures and nationalities, but are most commonly associated with French, Dutch, and Jewish ancestry. The name is thought to derive from the Old French "beau fort" meaning 'beautiful castle', although it may also have originated from place names such as Belvès in France or Belfort in France and Germany. It is worth noting that the spelling of surnames was not standardized until relatively recently, leading to a multitude of variants even among families with the same ancestry.

Famous people with the last name Belfort

The Belfort surname has been associated with two notable figures in distinct fields. Jordan Belfort, popularly known as "The Wolf of Wall Street," is an American former stockbroker and motivational speaker who gained infamy for his involvement in fraud and corruption on Wall Street during the 1990s. His story was portrayed in the 2013 film "The Wolf of Wall Street." On a contrasting note, Marion Belfort is a prominent French scientist specializing in immunology and cancer research. She is currently a professor at the Curie Institute in Paris and has made significant contributions to understanding the role of the immune system in cancer development and treatment. Both figures have distinctly impacted their respective fields but in very different ways.

Genealogical research on the last name Belfort

The surname Belfort originates from France, specifically the region of Lorraine. It is derived from the Old French "beau fort," meaning "beautiful castle." Notable individuals with this surname include Victor Belfort, a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist and UFC Hall of Famer, known for his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Another prominent figure is Georges Belfort, a French politician who served as Mayor of Strasbourg from 1908 to 1940. The Belforts are also found in Belgium and Switzerland, with some families tracing their roots back to medieval France. In the United States, the surname appears primarily in Louisiana and New York, likely due to French-speaking immigrants who settled there during the colonial era. Genealogical records suggest that the Belfort family has a rich history dating back several centuries in Europe, with branches expanding across different continents.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Belfort"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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