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Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

The origins of the Babbit name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Suffolk. The surname Babbit refers to a person who came from Babe, which may refer to an area known as the Hundred of Babegh in the county of Suffolk. The place-name literally means Babba's enclosure. Babba is a personal name meaning protector. 1 2

Le Babbe is a nickname from babe, a Middle English word used c. 1230 meaning 'infant, young child'. 3

Early Origins of the Babbit family

The surname Babbit was first found in Suffolk where Alwinus Babbe was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1198. A few years later, Richard Babbe was found in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1203. Ralph le Babb(e) was found in Wiltshire in 1199 and Walter le Babbe in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 3

Early History of the Babbit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Babbit research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Babbit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Babbit Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Babbit were recorded, including Babe, Babb, Babbs, Babbe and others.

Early Notables of the Babbit family

More information is included under the topic Early Babbit Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Babbit family to Ireland

Some of the Babbit family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Canada Babbit migration to Canada +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Babbit family emigrate to North America:

Babbit Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Daniel Babbit U.E. who settled in Gagetown, Queens County, New Brunswick c. 1783 4
  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
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