Show ContentsBaden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Baden is one of the many new names that came to England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Baden comes from the Old English given name Batte, a pet form of Bartholomew. [1]

Early Origins of the Baden family

The surname Baden was first found in Somerset, where the "family of Batten have been seated for nearly six centuries. They are considered of Flemish origin. Among eminent merchants of the staple (wool-trade) temp. Edward I., were several De Beteyns and Batyns." [2]

The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 in Somerset include two entries for the family: Balin Bythemore; and Bathon Mayster. From these early spellings, the Feet of Fines of 1248 in Essex includes an entry for Walter Batun and later, Robert Batin was found in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1261. The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire includes William Baton in 1275 and the same rolls for Staffordshire in 1327 lists John Batten. [3]

"Batten is an estate in the parish of North Hill, Cornwall, where an ancient gentle family of the name once resided. The Battens are now established in the Honiton district, and the Battings in the Exeter district. There was a Joel Batin in the hundred of Wonford as far back as the 13th century. Somersetshire, however, would appear to be the ancient home of the name, and for six centuries the name has been established there, though now scantily represented." [4]

Again in Somerset, we found the following early entries for the family as both a forename and surname: Thomas Batyn; Batin atte Vete; Batin Power; Batin Walkelayn: and Bathon Mayster. All were listed as 1 Edward III, in other words during the first year of the reign of King Edward III. [5]

Early History of the Baden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baden research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1500, 1561, 1580, 1600, 1624, 1630, 1633, 1661, 1667, 1687, 1720, 1743 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Baden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baden Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Batten, Battin, Battyne, Baten, Batin, Batton and many more.

Early Notables of the Baden family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Batten (c. 1600-1667), an English naval officer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1661 to 1667; and Henry Beighton (1687-1743), an English engineer and surveyor, Fellow of the Royal Society in 1720.Adrian Batten (fl. 1630), was organist of St. Paul's, the dates of whose birth and death cannot be ascertained. He was educated in the choir of Winchester Cathedral under John Holmes. In 1624 he removed to St. Paul's Cathedral, where he held the same office in addition to that of organist. Batten's name is well known...
Another 152 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baden Ranking

In the United States, the name Baden is the 13,359th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [6]


United States Baden migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Baden or a variant listed above:

Baden Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Baden, who arrived in Maryland in 1679 [7]
Baden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Anna Maria Baden, aged 29, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 [7]
  • Friedrick Baden, aged 11, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 [7]
  • Joseph Baden, aged 32, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 [7]
  • John George Baden, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1807 [7]
  • Pedro Del Baden, who arrived in America in 1814 [7]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Baden migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Baden Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Benjamin Baden, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • William Baden, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750

Australia Baden migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Baden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Baden (post 1700) +

  • Lieutenant-General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden -Powell OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB, DL (1857-1941), 1st Baron Baden-Powell, British Army officer, writer, author of Scouting for Boys which was an inspiration for the Scout Movement, founder and first Chief Scout of The Boy Scouts Association and founder of the Girl Guides
  • Michael Baden (b. 1934), American forensic pathologist and professional witness
  • Wayne Baden, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 2008
  • Steve Kenneth Baden (b. 1952), American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kansas, 1972
  • Steve Baden, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alaska, 1984
  • Philip L. Baden, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1960
  • John Baden, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 2008
  • David Michael Baden -Powell (1940-2023), 4th Baron Baden-Powell, an Australian insurance sales agent and financial planner, and was active in support of the Scout Movement
  • Baden Cooke (b. 1978), Australian retired professional racing cyclist
  • Baden Chapman Teague (b. 1944), Australian politician, Senator for South Australia (1978-1996)


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england


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