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 Balkan family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Balkan Family History

Balkan Surname Meaning

Turkish: ornamental or topographic name from balkan ‘wooded mountain range’ regionally also ‘woodland’. It may also be a habitational name from the Balkan Mountains in present-day Bulgaria.

English (North Yorkshire): variant of Balcombe (see Balcom).

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 Balkan family from?

You can see how Balkan families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Balkan family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1871 and 1920. The most Balkan families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there was 1 Balkan family living in Lancashire. This was 100% of all the recorded Balkan's in United Kingdom. Lancashire had the highest population of Balkan families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Balkan 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 Balkan ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Laborer and Waitress were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Balkan. 17% of Balkan men worked as a Laborer and 100% of Balkan women worked as a Waitress.

View Census Data for Balkan | 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
    17%
  • Fisherman
    17%
  • Bookkeeper
    13%
  • Salesman
    13%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Waitress
    100%

What Balkan family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Balkan. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Balkan census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Balkan

Passenger Lists

There are 268 immigration records available for the last name Balkan. 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 Balkan immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 165 military records available for the last name Balkan. For the veterans among your Balkan ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Balkan military records

You've only scratched the surface of Balkan family history

Discover More

What is the average Balkan lifespan?

Between 1947 and 2004, in the United States, Balkan life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1948, and highest in 1986. The average life expectancy for Balkan in 1947 was 55, and 81 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Balkan

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Balkan 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 Balkan family tree

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