Find out how popular the last name Ballar is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ballar.

Ballar, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ballar surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ballar in America

Ballar is the 148244th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ballar surname appeared 102 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ballar.

The history of the last name Ballar

The surname Ballar is believed to have originated from England, dating back to the medieval period, around the 12th century. The name is primarily thought to have sprung from the northeastern regions of England, such as Yorkshire and Northumberland, where evidence of its earliest use appears. The name Ballar is derived from the Middle English word "ball," which meant a ball or spherical object, and the suffix "ar," signifying association or profession. It is likely that the name initially referred to someone who made or sold balls or spherical objects.

In historical documents, Ballar is found in early parish records and tax rolls from the 13th and 14th centuries. For instance, the Poll Tax returns of 1379 from Yorkshire mention a "John Ballar" and a "William Ballar," suggesting that the surname was already somewhat established by that time. Similarly, the Subsidy Rolls of Northumberland recorded a "Thomas Ballar" in the early 14th century. These records illustrate that the name was relatively widespread in certain regions of England.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Ballar dates back to the year 1224, appearing in the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire, where a "Roger Ballar" is documented. This indicates the name's existence and usage during that period, solidifying its historical roots. Additionally, some variations of the surname, such as Ballard, have been noted in older manuscripts, although they might refer to different lineages or regional dialects affecting spelling.

One notable individual with the surname was Richard Ballar, mentioned in the Court Rolls of Durham in the year 1357. His involvement in local court matters highlights the family's integration into local governance and society. Edward Ballar, born in 1502 and died in 1568, was another prominent figure who served as a land steward to the Earl of Northumberland, signifying the name's association with significant regional families and estates.

In the 17th century, the surname Ballar continued to surface in various records, including the Hearth Tax returns of 1666. During this period, a George Ballar from Lancashire was noted for his contributions to local agricultural development. Similarly, Elizabeth Ballar, who lived between 1625 and 1699, was a known herbalist and medicinal practitioner in Yorkshire, demonstrating the diverse fields in which individuals bearing this surname were engaged.

By the late 18th century, the name appears in more structured government records, including military enlistment and parish registers. One example is Captain James Ballar, born in 1775 and died in 1840, who served in the British Navy and participated in key naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars. His distinguished career and contributions highlight the enduring presence of the Ballar surname in British history.

Over centuries, the surname Ballar continued to manifest in various documents, echoing its historical and geographical roots. Despite its evolution and the variations in its spelling, the legacy of the Ballar name remains enshrined in historical records, reflecting the rich tapestry of medieval England and its enduring societal contributions.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ballar

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ballar.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ballar was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ballar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ballar, please contact us.

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