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

Balleza, 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 Balleza surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Balleza in America

Balleza is the 22770th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Balleza surname appeared 1,125 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 Balleza.

We can also compare 2010 data for Balleza 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 Balleza

The surname Balleza is of Spanish origin, with its roots traced back to the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated from the Spanish word "balleza," which means "beauty" or "loveliness." This name was likely given as a descriptive nickname to someone who possessed remarkable physical attractiveness or exhibited exceptional grace and elegance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Balleza can be found in the archives of the Kingdom of Aragon, a medieval kingdom located in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula. In the 13th century, a nobleman named Rodrigo Balleza was mentioned in a royal decree, indicating the prominence of this family during that era.

During the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries, many Spanish explorers and settlers carried their surnames to the newly discovered lands of the Americas. It is possible that the Balleza family was among those who ventured across the Atlantic Ocean and established themselves in the Spanish colonies of the New World.

In the 16th century, a renowned Spanish artist named Juan de Balleza gained recognition for his intricate religious paintings and frescoes adorning the walls of various cathedrals and monasteries across Spain. His works are still celebrated today for their beauty and masterful craftsmanship.

Another notable figure bearing the Balleza surname was Doña María Balleza, a prominent landowner and philanthropist who lived in the 17th century. She was known for her generosity and dedication to supporting orphanages and educational institutions in her hometown of Seville, Spain.

In the 18th century, a Spanish military commander named Diego Balleza played a crucial role in the defense of the Spanish colonies against pirate attacks and foreign invasions. His bravery and strategic prowess earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of the Spanish crown.

As the Balleza family spread across different regions and continents, variations in the spelling of the surname emerged. Some of the alternative spellings include Ballesa, Baleza, and Ballaza. These variations were influenced by local dialects, linguistic adaptations, and scribal errors in historical records.

Throughout its rich history, the surname Balleza has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, each leaving their mark on the tapestry of human endeavor. From artists and landowners to military leaders and explorers, the name Balleza has been associated with beauty, grace, and a pursuit of excellence across generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Balleza

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

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

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

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