Ball family

The surname"Ball" is probably a shortened form of "Baldwin" dating from Norman times meaning "one who is bold enough to win in battle". For many generations the Baldwins were Counts of Flanders. The shortened variations of the spelling included "Baell", "Ball", and Balle". John Balle, born 1263 in Norfolk County, England, is one of the earliest recorded but with very little information. The "Mad Preacher of Kent", John Ball, is the most recorded following John Balle. Having great disdain for royalty while preaching "equality among men" and believing no man had the right to set himself as master of others, he was beheaded by Richard II, King of England in 1381.

William VI Ball came to Virginia in 1650, and was the progenitor of this large and influential family. From 1670 until his death in 1680, he was a member of the Burgesses from Lancaster Co., VA. He built a beautiful mansion on his Lancaster estate, which he named Millenbeck. The estate was held for four successive generations by William Balls and played a prominent part in VA history. He and John Washington were wardens of Christ Church. William’s will was written 15 Oct 1680, proved in Lancaster Co., VA, ...

Joseph Ball's grandson: George Washington, 1st President of the United States

Mary Ball, George Washington's mother

• A1. William I Ball, Lord of the Manor of Barkham, d:1480, m. Elizabeth Celeter;
  • B1. Robert Ball, lvd:1473/1543;
    • C1. William II Ball, lvd:1505/1550, m. Margaret Moody;
      • D1. John Ball, lvd:1525/1599, m. Agnes Hathoway;
        • E1. Capt William III Ball, lvd:1573/1648, m. Alice Waltham;
          • F1. William IV Ball, lvd:1614/1680, m. Hannah Atherold;
            • G1. Col Joseph Ball, lvd:1649/1711, m1. Elizabeth Romney, m2. Mary Montague;
              • H1. [m1:] Anne Ball, lvd:1686/1764, m. Col. Edwin Conway;  <==  Conway family
              • H2. [m2:] Mary Ball, lvd:1708/1789, m. Augustine Washington;
                • I1. President George Washington, b:1732/1799;