Show ContentsBaggott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Baggott is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The name Baggott came from "the Carlovingian Counts of Artois, whose descendants were advocates of Arras, Lords of Bethune, and Castellans of St. Omer, and were amongst the greatest nobles of Flanders." 1

Early Origins of the Baggott family

The surname Baggott was first found in Staffordshire and Warwickshire, where early records show Bago, or Bagod de Arras in 1075 witnessing a charter in Flanders and show he came to England shortly after the Conquest. Bago of Bagod d'Artas held Bromley in Staffordshire in 1086. 2 A few years later, Rodbert Bagod witnessed a charter of Geva, founding Canwell Priory c. 1140. "A most ancient family, also coeval with the Conquest, descended from Bagod, who at the time of the compilation of the Domesday Book held Bromley of Robert de Stadford or Stafford." 3

Sir Robert Bagod (died 1299) was an Irish judge appointed the first Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas in 1276. He built Baggotrath Castle in Dublin, but sadly no traces of the castle survive today. Born in Dublin, the son of Ralph Bagod; the Bagod family had come to Ireland in the 1170s with Strongbow. His son, Sir Robert Bagod (died after 1329) was an Irish judge, Crown servant and military commander in fourteenth-century Ireland.

Sir William Bagot (fl. 1397), was minister of Richard II, who appears early in his reign with Sir John Bussy and Sir Thomas Green as a member of his council. 4

Blithfield in Staffordshire was an ancient family seat. "The Bagot family, of great eminence and antiquity, possessed this and the adjoining estate of Bagot's-Bromley, at the time of the Domesday Survey. In 1195 Hervey Bagot married the heiress of Baron Stafford; his son assumed the surname and title of Stafford, and became progenitor to the succeeding barons and earls of Stafford, and dukes of Buckingham. Of that branch of the family resident at Blithfield and Bromley, was Sir John Bagot, Knt., ancestor of Hervey Bagot, who was created a Baronet in 1627: William Bagot was made a Baron in 1780.

Blithfield Hall, the family seat, is an ancient mansion with embattled towers and walls; it stands in the vale of the Blithe or Blythe, on a beautiful lawn, and contains a large and valuable collection of paintings, among which are portraits of many distinguished persons." 5

Early History of the Baggott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baggott research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1160, 1166, 1198, 1256, 1276, 1290, 1382, 1383, 1386, 1388, 1399, 1402, 1407, 1408, 1415, 1495, 1591, 1616, 1626, 1644, 1660, 1663, 1668, 1673, 1674, 1679, 1690, 1693, 1695, 1698, 1704, 1707, 1708, 1712, 1784, 1791 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Baggott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baggott Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Baggott has been recorded under many different variations, including Bagot, Bacot, Baggot, Bagott and others.

Early Notables of the Baggott family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Richard Bagot, (c. 1256), Knight of Bagot's Bromley; his son Sir William Bagot (fl. 1276-1290), Knight of Bagot's Bromley; Sir John Bagot, Knight of Blithfield and Littlehay, Staffordshire was Lieutenant of Calais in 1408, later Ambassador to the Duke of Burgundy, and served with King Henry V at Agincourt in 1415; Sir William Bagot (died 1407), politician and administrator under Richard II, began career in politics in Warwickshire under the Earl of Warwick, served both John of Gaunt and his son Henry Bolingbroke, as well as Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk, future...
Another 171 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baggott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Baggott family to Ireland

Some of the Baggott family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 169 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Baggott migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Baggotts were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Baggott Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Dorothy Baggott, who landed in Virginia in 1714 6
  • John Baggott, who settled in New England in 1750
Baggott Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Bridgt Baggott, aged 15, who landed in New York in 1854 6

Australia Baggott migration to Australia +

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

Baggott Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Charles Baggott, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 19th August 1829, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
  • Mr. Charles Baggott, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 25th June 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8
  • Mr. Thomas Baggott, English convict who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 9th May 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Baggott (post 1700) +

  • Vallandigham B. Baggott (b. 1929), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Westchester County 2nd District, 1923
  • Nadine Baggott, English journalist and beauty consultant
  • Ron Baggott (b. 1917), Australian Rules football player
  • Matthew David "Matt" Baggott CBE QPM (b. 1959), Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
  • Jack Baggott (1906-1995), Australian Rules football player

RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Allen Marden Baggott, aged 28, English Saloon Steward from Itchen, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 9 10


The Baggott Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Antiquum obtinens
Motto Translation: Possessing our ancient honour.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. 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)
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 18th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emily
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
  10. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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