Ballard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ballard is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name. It was a name given to a person who was 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]

Early Origins of the Ballard family

The surname Ballard 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 forEssex 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]

Early History of the Ballard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ballard research.

Ballard Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Ballard has appeared include Ballard, Bellard, Bellhird, Belhyrd, Bellerd, Bellird, Belard, Balard, Ballird and many more.

Early Notables of the Ballard family (pre 1700)

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.

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. [7] However, in Australia, the name Ballard is ranked the 994^thmost popular surname with an estimated 3,972 people with that name. [8]

 Ballard migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Ballard arrived in North America very early: 

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 [9]
• Mrs. Elizabeth Ballard, aged 26, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship “James” [9]
• Hester Ballard, aged 2, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship “James” [9]
• Jo Ballard, aged 1, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship “James” [9]
• William Ballard, aged 32, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1635 aboard the ship “James” [9]

Ballard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Thomas Ballard, who landed in Virginia in 1714 [9]
• Edward Ballard, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [9]
• Jean Bte Charles Ballard, aged 17, who arrived in Louisiana in 1719 [9]
• Jean Bin Charles Ballard, aged 17, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 [9]
• Jean Ole Charles Ballard, aged 17, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 [9]

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 [9]
• Samuel Ballard, aged 22, who arrived in America in 1822 [9]
• Benjamin Ballard, who settled in New York, NY in 1828
• Anthony Ballard, who arrived in Michigan in 1832

 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 [10]
• 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 [11]
• 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 [12]
• 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 [13]
• Mr. William Ballard, English convict who was convicted in Preston, Lancashire, Englandfor 7 years, transported aboard the “Eden” on 30th September 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Island) [14]

 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 [15]
• Mrs. Eliza Ballard, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship “Egmont” arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th June 1858 [15]
• William Ballard, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Pegasus” in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Ballard (post 1700) +

• Gregory “Greg” Ballard (1955-2016), American NBA basketball player and assistant coach
• C. Ray Ballard, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1976 [16]
• C. A. Ballard, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Illinois, 1884 [16]
• 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 [16]
• Brian Ballard, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 2008 [16]
• Bland Ballard (1819-1879), American politician, U.S. District Judge for Kentucky, 1861-79 [16]
• Betty M. Ballard, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988 [16]
• Bert M. Ballard (1900-1968), American politician, Mayor of Roswell, New Mexico, 1955-60 [16]
• Ben Ballard Jr., American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Texas, 1932 [16]
• B. W. Ballard, American Democratic Party politician, Member of North Carolina State House of Representatives from Franklin County, 1905-06; Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 1924 [16]