Hugh de Balliol was the oldest son and successor of Eustace de Balliol

Eustace de Balliol

Eustace de Balliol was the cousin and successor of Bernard II de Balliol, lord of Balliol and Barnard Castle...

 (before 1190 Eustace de Helicourt). Hugh probably succeeded to his father Eustace's lordships by 1209.

Hugh and his brother Bernard were staunch supporters of King John

John of England

John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...

; Hugh probably named his son after the king. After Hugh's death in 1229, his son John I de Balliol succeeded to the chief Balliol estates.