Explore the Family Name Ballestas
The meaning of Ballestas
Hispanic (mainly Colombia): plural form of Spanish Ballesta, from ballesta ‘crossbow’, a metonymic occupational name for a crossbow maker or a soldier who used one.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ballestas in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the surname Ballestas has seen a rise in popularity over the last decade. In 2000, it ranked 77,742 in terms of popularity in the U.S., but by 2010, it had risen to rank 68,949. This represents an increase of 11.31%. The count of individuals with this surname also increased from 229 in 2000 to 285 in 2010, marking a 24.45% increase. Meanwhile, the proportion of people named Ballestas per 100,000 people in the U.S. rose by 25% during this same period.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #77,742 | #68,949 | 11.31% |
| Count | 229 | 285 | 24.45% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.08 | 0.1 | 25% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ballestas
Regarding ethnicity based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the majority of individuals with the surname Ballestas identify as Hispanic. In 2000, 87.34% identified as Hispanic, and this figure rose to 89.82% by 2010, indicating a 2.84% increase. Meanwhile, the percentage identifying as White decreased from 12.23% in 2000 to 9.47% in 2010, representing a drop of 22.57%. There were no changes reported for other ethnic identities such as Asian/Pacific Islander, two or more races, Black, or American Indian and Alaskan Native, either due to a lack of representation or data being suppressed for privacy.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | 87.34% | 89.82% | 2.84% |
| White | 12.23% | 9.47% | -22.57% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Black | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |