Balfour is a distinctive Scottish surname and given name, derived from the family name of the powerful Balfours of Montquhitter in East Lothian. The name is believed to have originated from the Anglo-Norman 'Bel de For', meaning 'beautiful from the moor'. It was first recorded as a forename in the early 13th century, used by a knight named Baldwin de Balfour. Today, Balfour continues to be a unique and respected name, often passed down through generations of Scottish families.
"The name Balfour saw two spikes in popularity with five births each in 1914 and again in 1928."