UK surname
A topographic name for someone living on a prominent hill or ridge.
In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Balland surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 15, ranked #37,092, down from #30,339 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, St Pancras and Wigan. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Balland is 211 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.8%.
1881 census count
23
Ranked #30,339
Modern count
15
2016, ranked #37,092
Peak year
1861
211 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Balland surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Balland surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 97 | #17,484 |
| 1861 | historical | 211 | #11,508 |
| 1881 | historical | 23 | #30,339 |
| 1891 | historical | 130 | #20,173 |
| 1901 | historical | 8 | #33,289 |
| 1911 | historical | 36 | #29,370 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 11 | #36,908 |
| 1999 | modern | 14 | #36,595 |
| 2000 | modern | 6 | #37,624 |
| 2001 | modern | 8 | #37,124 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 6 | #37,655 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 12 | #37,095 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 16 | #36,850 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 16 | #36,932 |
| 2012 | modern | 15 | #36,982 |
| 2013 | modern | 15 | #37,046 |
| 2014 | modern | 13 | #37,256 |
| 2015 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2016 | modern | 15 | #37,092 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas, St Pancras, Wigan, St Marylebone and Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abingdon St Helen, Abingdon St Nicholas | Berkshire |
| 2 | St Pancras | London (North Districts) |
| 3 | Wigan | Lancashire |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Leicester St Margaret and Bishop's Fee, Leicester All Saints, Blackfriars | Leicestershire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Balland surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Balland, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Balland surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Balland household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Balland is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Balland is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Balland, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname BALLAND has its roots in France, originating from the Normandy region during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old French words "bal" and "land," which together meant a wooded area or a clearing in a forest.
The name can be traced back to the 11th century, with early records showing variations such as "Balant" and "Ballant." One of the earliest documented mentions of the name is found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as a place name in the county of Hampshire.
During the Middle Ages, the BALLAND family established themselves as landowners and influential figures in various regions of France. Notable individuals from this era include Robert de Balland, a knight who fought in the Third Crusade under King Richard I of England in the late 12th century.
As the centuries passed, the BALLAND name spread across Europe, with branches emerging in countries like England, Germany, and Italy. In England, the name was often anglicized to "Ballard" or "Ballarden," reflecting the regional pronunciation.
One of the most prominent figures bearing the BALLAND surname was Jacques Balland, a French theologian and philosopher who lived from 1538 to 1615. He was known for his contributions to the development of Cartesian philosophy and his writings on epistemology.
Another notable individual was Marie-Élisabeth Balland (1733-1808), a French painter and engraver who gained recognition for her portraits and historical scenes. Her works were exhibited at the Salon de Paris and are now held in prestigious collections across Europe.
In the 19th century, a notable bearer of the BALLAND name was Émile Balland (1836-1898), a French architect and urban planner who designed several notable buildings in Paris, including the École Normale Supérieure.
Moving into the 20th century, the BALLAND surname was carried by André Balland (1901-1984), a French composer and music educator who wrote numerous works for piano and chamber ensembles, as well as vocal compositions.
Throughout its long history, the BALLAND surname has been associated with various professions, from landowners and nobility to artists, intellectuals, and professionals in diverse fields, reflecting the diverse contributions of those who have borne this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Balland surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 8 Ballands recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.42x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 8 | 3.42x |
| Warwickshire | 6 | 10.17x |
| Dunbartonshire | 2 | 31.80x |
| Lancashire | 2 | 0.72x |
| Somerset | 2 | 5.31x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 3.85x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 35.84x |
| Staffordshire | 1 | 1.27x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 3.27x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Hammersmith London in Middlesex leads with 4 Ballands recorded in 1881 and an index of 69.44x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Hammersmith London | 4 | 69.44x |
| Old Stratford | 4 | 1212.12x |
| Birmingham | 2 | 10.17x |
| Row | 2 | 246.91x |
| St George In East London | 2 | 90.91x |
| Taunton St James | 2 | 363.64x |
| Chorlton On Medlock | 1 | 22.68x |
| Edmonton | 1 | 52.91x |
| Hackney London | 1 | 7.62x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 42.02x |
| Sheepshed | 1 | 277.78x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 11.93x |
| West Derby | 1 | 12.32x |
| Worcester St Nicholas | 1 | 714.29x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Balland surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Balland surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Balland households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Laundress | 2 |
| Scholar | 2 |
| Brick Layer | 1 |
| Chair Carver | 1 |
| Cotton Reeler | 1 |
| Dom House Porter | 1 |
| Engine Fitter At Works (X/1) | 1 |
| Engine Room Artificer | 1 |
| F W K (Wool) | 1 |
| Gardener | 1 |
| Groom | 1 |
| Plasterer | 1 |
| Poulterer & Fishmonger | 1 |
| Visitor | 1 |
| Waiter | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Balland surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 15 in 2016. That gives Balland a modern rank of #37,092.
A topographic name for someone living on a prominent hill or ridge.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Balland bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.