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

Balsa, 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 Balsa surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Balsa in America

Balsa is the 143149th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Balsa surname appeared 116 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 Balsa.

The history of the last name Balsa

The surname BALSA originates from Spain and can be traced back to the 15th century. It is believed to be derived from the Spanish word "balsa," which means a raft or float made of lightweight wood or other materials. This connection suggests that the name may have originally been associated with individuals involved in water-based professions, such as fishing or transportation along rivers or coastal areas.

In the early records of Spain, the name BALSA appeared in various regions, including Andalusia, Valencia, and Catalonia. One of the earliest documented instances of the name can be found in the census records of Seville from the late 16th century, where a family with the surname BALSA was registered.

During the Age of Exploration, as Spanish explorers and settlers ventured to the Americas, the name BALSA likely traveled with them. In the colonial records of the Spanish Empire, there are instances of individuals bearing this surname in various parts of Latin America, particularly in regions with significant Spanish influence.

One notable individual with the surname BALSA was Pedro Balsa, a Spanish explorer born in 1475 in Seville. He accompanied Hernán Cortés on his expedition to Mexico and played a crucial role in the conquest of the Aztec Empire. Another historical figure was Alonso Balsa de Barahona, a Spanish writer and poet from the 16th century, known for his contributions to Renaissance literature.

In the 17th century, the name BALSA appeared in the records of the Spanish Inquisition, where a family from Valencia was persecuted for their religious beliefs. This event highlights the presence of the surname during a tumultuous period in Spanish history.

Moving forward to the 18th century, Juan Balsa y Canseco, born in 1712 in Madrid, was a renowned Spanish military officer who served in the Spanish War of Succession. He rose through the ranks and was recognized for his bravery and strategic skills.

In the 19th century, the BALSA surname gained prominence in the field of art. Joaquín Balsa, a Spanish painter born in 1826 in Granada, was celebrated for his captivating landscapes and portraits, which captured the essence of Spanish culture and traditions.

Throughout its history, the surname BALSA has maintained a strong presence in Spanish-speaking regions, with variations in spelling and pronunciation arising due to local dialects and linguistic evolutions. While its origins may be humble, the name BALSA has been carried by individuals who have left their mark in various aspects of society, from exploration and literature to military service and artistic expression.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Balsa

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

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

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

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