Balliol

An old French surname derived from baille, meaning "fortification" – the same root as the English word bailey. The surname was borne by an aristocratic English family descended from French nobility.

A college of Oxford university is named Balliol in honor of John de Balliol, who founded it in the 13th century. Alumni include Bible translator John Wycliffe, author Aldous Huxley, and several British prime ministers.

Pronounced BAL-yul.