NameCensus.

UK surname

Ballesteros

A Spanish occupational surname referring to a crossbowman or arbalester.

In the 1881 census there were 1 people recorded with the Ballesteros surname, ranking it #34,027 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 107, ranked #29,762, up from #34,027 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bromley, St. Helens and North East Lincolnshire.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ballesteros is 112 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10600.0%.

1881 census count

1

Ranked #34,027

Modern count

107

2016, ranked #29,762

Peak year

2014

112 bearers

Map years

1

2016 to 2016

Key insights

  • Ballesteros had 1 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #34,027 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 107 in 2016, ranked #29,762.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1881.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Diverse Educated Urban Singles.

Ballesteros surname distribution map

The map shows where the Ballesteros surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Ballesteros surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ballesteros over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1881 historical 1 #34,027
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 39 #33,759
1998 modern 38 #34,066
1999 modern 44 #33,601
2000 modern 44 #33,602
2001 modern 47 #33,219
2002 modern 52 #33,110
2003 modern 56 #32,797
2004 modern 57 #32,968
2005 modern 57 #33,178
2006 modern 58 #33,433
2007 modern 67 #32,871
2008 modern 78 #32,081
2009 modern 88 #31,352
2010 modern 107 #29,153
2011 modern 100 #30,058
2012 modern 97 #30,798
2013 modern 108 #29,379
2014 modern 112 #28,934
2015 modern 109 #29,327
2016 modern 107 #29,762

Geography

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Where Ballesteros' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bromley, St. Helens, North East Lincolnshire, Rochdale and Paisley South East. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bromley 019 Bromley
2 St. Helens 004 St. Helens
3 North East Lincolnshire 001 North East Lincolnshire
4 Rochdale 015 Rochdale
5 Paisley South East Renfrewshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ballesteros

These lists show first names that appear often with the Ballesteros surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ballesteros

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ballesteros, 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

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Diverse Educated Urban Singles

Nationally, the Ballesteros surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Diverse Educated Urban Singles, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Ballesteros household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many never-married individuals not living with dependent children. Many were born in EU countries and are now aged between 25-44. This Group is characterised by its ethnic group diversity, although those identifying as Asian are not well represented. Affiliation with the Christian religion amongst residents is low. Reported disability rates are low. Neighbourhoods include some central locations in London and other major cities. Private renting is the norm, and there is some overcrowding. Many individuals are educated to degree level, and full-time employment is common, particularly in managerial and professional occupations.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Ballesteros is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ballesteros is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ballesteros falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ballesteros is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ballesteros, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ballesteros

The surname Ballesteros has its origins in Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Spanish word "ballestero," which refers to a crossbowman or an archer. This occupation-based surname suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely involved in the military or hunting professions, where expertise in archery or crossbow use was a valuable skill.

The Ballesteros name can be traced back to various regions within Spain, particularly in areas where these skilled archers were employed or stationed. Some early records indicate that the name was prevalent in regions such as Castile, Aragon, and Andalusia, where crossbowmen played a significant role in military campaigns and hunting activities.

Historical references to the Ballesteros surname can be found in various medieval documents and records. One notable example is the Libro de la Montería, a hunting treatise written in the 14th century during the reign of King Alfonso XI of Castile, which mentions several individuals with the surname Ballesteros involved in royal hunts and falconry expeditions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the Ballesteros surname was Rodrigo Ballesteros, a renowned crossbowman who served under King Alfonso X of Castile (1252-1284) and participated in the Reconquista, the centuries-long struggle to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule.

Another prominent figure was Juan Ballesteros, a Spanish explorer and navigator who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493. Ballesteros played a crucial role in the exploration and mapping of the Caribbean islands during this expedition.

In the 16th century, Hernán Ballesteros was a renowned Spanish architect who designed and constructed several churches and monastic buildings in Seville and other parts of Andalusia, leaving a lasting architectural legacy.

During the Spanish Golden Age, the Ballesteros name was also associated with the arts. Miguel Ballesteros (1570-1638) was a celebrated Spanish painter known for his religious and mythological works, many of which can be found in the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

In the 19th century, Antonio Ballesteros y Beretta (1835-1917) was a prominent Spanish historian and statesman who served as the Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts, contributing significantly to the preservation of Spain's cultural heritage.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the surname Ballesteros, reflecting the name's deep roots in Spanish culture and its association with various professions and achievements.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Ballesteros families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Ballesteros surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 1 Ballesteros' recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.37x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 1 10.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Clement Danes London in Middlesex leads with 1 Ballesteros' recorded in 1881 and an index of 5000.00x.

Place Total Index
St Clement Danes London 1 5000.00x

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Ballesteros surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ramen 1

Top occupations

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 Ballesteros households.

Occupation Count
Public Officer (Munic) 1

FAQ

Ballesteros surname: questions and answers

How common was the Ballesteros surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1 people were recorded with the Ballesteros surname. That placed it at #34,027 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Ballesteros surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 107 in 2016. That gives Ballesteros a modern rank of #29,762.

What does the Ballesteros surname mean?

A Spanish occupational surname referring to a crossbowman or arbalester.

What does the Ballesteros map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ballesteros bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

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.