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Ballearde is a name whose history dates far back into the mists of early British times to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is a name for a person known for their lack of hair. As a point of interest, the name is derived from the Old English word ball-ard, which means a bald headed man. 1
Another source claims the name was Celtic or Gaelic in origin "from Ball, a place, a round elevation; and ard, high. The Gaelic word Ballart signifies noisy, boasting. Bal also signifies a lord, and ard, high." 2 Yet another source claims the name was "an ancient baptismal name, Balard." 3
The surname Ballearde was first found in various counties and shire of England. Various sources claim different first records of the family. "Ballard is another old Kent name. The Ballards owned Sapinton manor from the time of Henry IV. until that of Philip and Mary. Robert Ballard, butler of Richard II., received from his Sovereign the manor of West Combe. In the reign of Henry VI., Thomas Ballard, of Horton Parva, was one of the sheriffs of Kent." 4
Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times. The Curia Regis Rolls of 1196 listed Peter Ballard as holding lands in Northumberland at that time and later Adam Ballard holding lands in Cambridgeshire in 1210. Eluding to aforementioned "bald head" nickname, we found Robert Balheved in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1316 and later, Thomas Balhefd in Suffolk in 1402. 5
The source Kirby's Quest notes that that during the time of Edward III, Richard Balleheved and Petrr Ballard were listed in Somerset. 6 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Alurell Balard in Essex; Dreu Ballard in Huntingdonshire; and Thomas Ballard in Somerset. 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ballearde research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1489, 1586, 1615, 1630, 1634, 1651, 1653, 1654, 1657, 1680, 1682, 1689 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Ballearde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Ballearde has been recorded under many different variations, including Ballard, Bellard, Bellhird, Belhyrd, Bellerd, Bellird, Belard, Balard, Ballird and many more.
Distinguished members of the family include John Ballard (d. 1586), English Roman Catholic priest who owes his fame solely to his connection with the Babington conspiracy; Colonel Thomas Ballard (1630-1689) English-born, early American colonial Virginia landowner and politician, Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1680-1682; and his son, Colonel...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ballearde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Ballearde or a variant listed above: Mary Ballord, who arrived in Boston in 1635; William Ballord, who came to Boston in 1635; Hester Ballord, who arrived in Boston in 1635; Elizabeth Ballord, who arrived in Lynn, MA in 1635.