This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Balestra family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Balestra Family History

Balestra Surname Meaning

Italian and southern French: from Italian Occitan balestra ‘crossbow’ (from Latin ballista ‘(military) catapult’)

hence a metonymic occupational name for a maker of crossbows or a soldier armed with a crossbow.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Balestra family from?

You can see how Balestra families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Balestra family name was found in the USA, and the UK between 1880 and 1920. The most Balestra families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 4 Balestra families living in Middlesex. This was about 67% of all the recorded Balestra's in United Kingdom. Middlesex had the highest population of Balestra families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Balestra surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Balestra ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Housewife were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Balestra. 34% of Balestra men worked as a Laborer and 34% of Balestra women worked as a Housewife. Some less common occupations for Americans named Balestra were Inspector and Nursery Helper.

View Census Data for Balestra | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Laborer
    34%
  • Proprietor
    23%
  • New Worker
    12%
  • Inspector
    12%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housewife
    34%
  • Stenographer
    34%
  • Nursery Helper
    34%

What Balestra family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 884 census records available for the last name Balestra. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Balestra census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Balestra

Passenger Lists

There are 778 immigration records available for the last name Balestra. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Balestra immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 222 military records available for the last name Balestra. For the veterans among your Balestra ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Balestra military records

You've only scratched the surface of Balestra family history

Discover More

What is the average Balestra lifespan?

Between 1960 and 2004, in the United States, Balestra life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1972, and highest in 2003. The average life expectancy for Balestra in 1960 was 34, and 75 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Balestra

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Balestra ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Balestra family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial