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

Ballardo, 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 Ballardo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ballardo in America

Ballardo is the 67519th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ballardo surname appeared 292 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ballardo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ballardo to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ballardo

The surname Ballardo originated in Italy, with its roots tracing back to the 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Italian word "ballare," which means "to dance." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with those who were skilled dancers or perhaps even entertainers.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Ballardo name can be found in a manuscript from the city of Genoa, dated around 1215. This document references a certain Pietro Ballardo, who was a prominent merchant and landowner in the region.

During the Renaissance period, the Ballardo family gained prominence in the artistic circles of Florence. Notably, Giacomo Ballardo (1470-1548) was a renowned painter and sculptor whose works adorned several churches and palaces throughout Tuscany.

In the 17th century, the name appears in the records of the Spanish Inquisition, where a Antonio Ballardo (1610-1678) was listed as a victim of religious persecution. He was forced to flee Spain and seek refuge in the Netherlands, where his descendants continued to carry on the family name.

As the Ballardo family expanded and migrated across Europe, variations in the spelling of the name emerged. In France, for instance, it was often written as "Ballard," while in Germany, it took on the form of "Ballhardt."

One notable figure bearing the Ballardo surname was Giuseppe Ballardo (1786-1861), an Italian revolutionary who fought alongside Giuseppe Garibaldi in the struggle for Italian unification. His bravery and commitment to the cause earned him a place in the annals of Italian history.

Another prominent individual was Emilia Ballardo (1845-1919), a renowned operatic soprano from Milan. She performed in some of the most prestigious opera houses across Europe, captivating audiences with her remarkable vocal talents.

The Ballardo name has also been associated with various localities throughout Italy. For example, there is a small village called Ballardo in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont, which may have been named after one of the earliest bearers of the surname.

While the Ballardo name may not be as widespread as some other Italian surnames, it has left an indelible mark on the cultural and historical tapestry of the country, with its bearers contributing to various fields throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ballardo

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ballardo 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ballardo has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Ballardo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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