Ballini History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Italy

Etymology of Ballini

From the historical and fascinating Italian region of Venice emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Ballini family. Although people were originally known only by a single name, it became necessary for people to adapt a second name to identify themselves as populations grew and travel became more frequent. The process of adopting fixed hereditary surnames was not complete until the modern era, but the use of hereditary family names in Italy began in the 10th and 11th centuries. Italian hereditary surnames were developed according to fairly general principles and they are characterized by a profusion of derivatives coined from given names. Although the most common type of family name found in the region of Venice is the patronymic surname, which is derived from the father's given name, the nickname type of surname is also frequently found. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The surname Ballini came from a person who was nicknamed a "rascal" deriving its origin from the Italian word balosso.

Early Origins of the Ballini family

Early History of the Ballini family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ballini research. The years 1278, 1301, 1398, 1403, 1469, 1535, 1567, 1794 and 1802 are included under the topic Early Ballini History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ballini Spelling Variations

Surnames that originated in Italy are characterized by an enormous number of spelling variations. Some of these are derived from regional traditions and dialects. Northern names, for instance, often end in "o", while southern names tend to end in "i". Other variations come from the fact the medieval scribes tended to spell according to the sound of words, rather than any particular set of rules. The recorded variations of Ballini include Balli, Ballo, Balla, Balletti, Balletto, Ballini, Ballotti, Balloni, Ballone, Ballon, Ballandi, Ballanti, Ballante, Ballantini, Balleri, Ballero, Ballerini, Ballerino, Ballarini, Ballarin, Ballaro, Ballatore, Balladore, Ballacchi, Ballada, Ballai, Ballardi, Bellarini, Ballaroto, Ballonio, Ballotta and many more.

Early Notables of the Ballini family

Prominent among bearers of this family in early times was

• Camillo Ballini was a painter in Brescia in 1567 whose works, now on display in Venice, include frescoes in the Palazzo Barbarigo on the Canal Grande

Migration of the Ballini family

An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Ballini arrived in North America very early: Alfonso Balletti, aged 32, who arrived at Ellis Island from Licata, Italy, in 1920; Angelo Balletti, aged 23, who arrived at Ellis Island from Licata, Girgentii, in 1913.