Contents [hide]

Ballard History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Ballard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France

The name Ballard is a Norman name that is a part of the ancient legacy of the Medieval France. The proud name of Ballard was originally used as a nickname for a bald person. 1 The surname Ballard is derived from the Old Norse word "bolle", and the Old English word "ballede", both meaning "ball". It was used as a reference to something round and smooth.

Alternatively, the name could have been an occupational name as a "baillard" is a "piece of wood to carry the wool that is drawn from the water, and which crosses the boiler to be degreased." 2

Early Origins of the Ballard family

The surname Ballard was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where the family established itself in ancient times.

The family can be traced back to Roger Baillard, who paid homage to the priest at Mont Saint-Michel in 1154. Some members of this ancient and illustrious family also branched into other regions of France. 3

According to historic documents, the family was registered in Tours, in 1262. In Burgundy, the family settled in De Bargon, a town in the department of Côte-d'Or, in the district of Dijon. In the 16th century, one branch was formed in Loudigny, in Angoumois.

For nearly 200 years, the Ballard family of printers "virtually enjoyed the monopoly of printing music in France. The first patent was granted to Robert Ballard by Henri II in 1552, and he and his son-in law Adrien Leroy printed many tablatures for the lute and other music. They were followed by Pierre, and he again by his son Robert, under whom the house rose to its greatest height both in privileges and position." 4

Early History of the Ballard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ballard research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1696, 1759, 1806 and 1891 are included under the topic Early Ballard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ballard Spelling Variations

There were a great number of spelling variations in French surnames. One reason for this was the wide variety of cultural influences present in France during the early development of the French language. The many spelling variations of the name include Baillargeon, Baillergeon, Baillarger, Baillerger, Baillarget, Baillerget, Baillargean, Baillergean, Baillerg, Baillargé, Baillard, Baillardel, Baillart and many more.

Early Notables of the Ballard family

Notable amongst the family in this period was Pierre Baillardel de Lareinty, one of the organizers of the colonies in the West Indies and a militia officer of the...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ballard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ballard Ranking

In the United States, the name Ballard is the 431^st most popular surname with an estimated 64,662 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Ballard is ranked the 994^th most popular surname with an estimated 3,972 people with that name. 6

Ballard migration to the United States +

Migration from France to New France or Quebec as it was now more popularly called, continued from France until it fell in 1759. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In the treaty of Utrecht, the Acadians were ceded by France to Britain in 1713. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported. They found refuge in Louisiana. In 1793, the remaining French in these provinces came under British rule. Meanwhile, in Quebec, the French race flourished, founding in Lower Canada, one of the two great solitudes which became Canada. Many of this distinguished family name Ballard were prominent in social, cultural, religious and political affairs in France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Ballard were

Ballard Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Ballard, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John", bound for Portsmouth, RI 7
Mrs. Elizabeth Ballard, aged 26, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "James" 7
Hester Ballard, aged 2, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "James" 7
Jo Ballard, aged 1, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "James" 7
William Ballard, aged 32, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635 aboard the ship "James" 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ballard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Ballard, who landed in Virginia in 1714 7
Edward Ballard, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 7
Jean Bte Charles Ballard, aged 17, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 7
Jean Bin Charles Ballard, aged 17, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 7
Jean Ole Charles Ballard, aged 17, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ballard Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Benjamin Ballard, who settled in Philadelphia in 1808
Henry Ballard, aged 47, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Samuel Ballard, aged 22, who arrived in America in 1822 7
Benjamin Ballard, who settled in New York, NY in 1828
Anthony Ballard, who arrived in Michigan in 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ballard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ballard Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Elia Ballard, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Ballard Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Lt. Ballard, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1801
Norman Ballard, who landed in Canada in 1829

Ballard migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ballard Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Ballard, (b. 1795), aged 24, English blacksmith who was convicted in Southampton, Hampshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1844 8
Mr. William Ballard, (b. 1800), aged 30, English ploughman who was convicted in Worcestershire, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. William Ballard, (Timothy, Bullard), (b. 1814), aged 20, English basket maker who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Thomas Ballard, (Bollard), (b. 1809), aged 30, Irish labourer who was convicted in Cavan, Ireland for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 19th May 1839, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1881 11
Mr. William Ballard, English convict who was convicted in Preston, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 30th September 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Ballard migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ballard Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Ballard, aged 24, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Isabella Ballard, aged 21, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Indus" in 1843
Mr. Edward Ballard, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Egmont" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th June 1858 13
Mrs. Eliza Ballard, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Egmont" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th June 1858 13
William Ballard, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Pegasus" in 1865
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Ballard (post 1700) +

Melvin Russell Ballard Jr. (1928-2023), American businessman
Gregory "Greg" Ballard (1955-2016), American NBA basketball player and assistant coach
C. Ray Ballard, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1976 14
C. A. Ballard, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1884 14
Byron L. Ballard (b. 1890), American Democratic Party politician, Chair of Ingham County Democratic Party, 1920-24; Candidate for Michigan State Senate 14th District, 1926; Treasurer of Michigan Democratic Party, 1937 14
Brian Ballard, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 2008 14
Bland Ballard (1819-1879), American politician, U.S. District Judge for Kentucky, 1861-79 14
Betty M. Ballard, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988 14
Bert M. Ballard (1900-1968), American politician, Mayor of Roswell, New Mexico, 1955-60 14
Ben Ballard Jr., American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1932 14
... (Another 74 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Ballard family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Arthur Ballard (b. 1920), English Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Leicester, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Edward Ballard, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 16

HMS Royal Oak

Eric Frank Ballard (1923-1939), born in Leicester, Leicestershire, England, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 17

RMS Titanic

Robert Duane Ballard (b. 1942), American oceanographer and marine geologist who discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic in 1985 18

USS Arizona

Mr. Galen O. Ballard, American Fireman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 19

Citations +

Dauzat, Albert, Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionaire Étymologique des Noms et Prénoms de France. Paris: Librairie Larousse, 1987. Print.
Dionne, N.-E., Les Canadiens-Francais Origine Des Familles. Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 1969. Print
Hozier, Charles D, and Antoine Bachelin-Delforenne. État présent De La Noblesse française (1883-1887): Contenant Le Distionnaire De La Noblesse Contemporaine Et Larmorial général De France, Dapres Les Manuscrits De Ch. D Hozier. Librairie Des Bibliophiles, 1884. Print.
Grove, Sir George, A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (AD. 1450-1889) London: Macmillan1902, Print, 2 Vols
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th November 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html