'ballie' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'baillie' (related to 'baillif'/'bailli'), where the root 'baill-' meant 'to administer' or 'to have charge over'.

'ballie' changed from medieval Scots/Old French 'baillie' (also spelled 'bailie' or 'baillif') and eventually became the modern Scots English term 'ballie' (plural 'ballies').

Initially it referred to 'custody, jurisdiction, or the office of an administrator,' but over time it evolved to denote the person holding that office — a municipal magistrate or officer.