Baldrige History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Early Origins of the Baldrige family

The surname Baldrige was first found in Northumberland where the first on record was Saint Baldred or Balthere (d. 608?), a "Northumbrian anchorite of the sixth century, the details of whose life are entirely mythical. He is said to have been suffragan of Kentigern of Glasgow, but all the localities connected with his cultus are in Lothian. Baldred was one of the island saints more common in Celtic than in English hagiology. Baldred's feast-day is 6 March. Another Baldred, or Baltherus, who was a hermit of Durham, flourished about a century later, and after such miracles as walking on the sea died in 756. " 1

Further to the south, Baldred (fl. 823-825), was King of Kent, during the dissensions which weakened Mercia after the death of Cenwulf, endeavoured to make Kent independent of that kingdom.

Many years later, Baldred, decanus Laodonie, c. 1235 was listed and "Master Baldred (Bisset) le Scot, one of the commissioners sent to Rome to plead the cause of the independence of Scotland before the Pope, coming from beyond seas to Stirling Castle, had a safe conduct through England in 1306. " 2 There was an early Latin entry before this point: "Boldredus, official domini Sanctiandree, 1282 ."

Early History of the Baldrige family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baldrige research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1235, 1306, 1481, 1504, 1512, 1515, 1524, 1608, 1663, 1679, 1685 and 1697 are included under the topic Early Baldrige History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baldrige Spelling Variations

The name Baldrige, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Baldrick, Baldred, Baldridge, Balrich, Baldrey and many more.

Early Notables of the Baldrige family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Thomas Baldry (c.1481-1524), English politician, Member of Parliament for Ipswich in 1504, 1512 and 1515; Edmund Boldero (1608-1679), an English royalist clergyman and academic, Master of Jesus College, Cambridge from...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baldrige Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Baldrige family to Ireland

Some of the Baldrige family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Baldrige family

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Baldrige family, or who bore a variation of the surname Baldrige were James Baldridge who settled in Maryland in 1634; Thomas Baldridge settled in Maryland in 1634. This family later enjoyed the distinction of being one of the distinguished families of the U.S.A..

Contemporary Notables of the name Baldrige (post 1700) +

Letitia Baldrige (1926-2012), American etiquette expert and author of twenty books, best known as Jacqueline Kennedy's Social Secretary
Malcolm Baldrige Jr. (1922-1987), United States Secretary of Commerce and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
William Lovell Baldrige (1869-1947), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1912 3
Thomas Jackson Baldrige (1872-1964), American Republican politician, Common Pleas Court Judge in Pennsylvania, 1910-21; Pennsylvania State Attorney General, 1927-29; Superior Court Judge in Pennsylvania, 1929-43 3
Howard Malcolm Baldrige (1922-1987), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Connecticut, 1964, 1972; U.S. Secretary of Commerce, 1981-87 3
Howard Malcolm Baldrige (1894-1985), American Republican politician, Member of Nebraska State House of Representatives, 1923; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 2nd District, 1931-33 3
Howard Hammond Baldrige (1864-1928), American Republican politician, Member of Nebraska State Senate, 1900-01; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Nebraska 2nd District, 1912 3
Carl C. Baldrige, American Republican politician, Candidate for Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Allegheny County 10th District, 1926 3

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html