Show ContentsBaucom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Baucom family name was first used by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. It is a name for someone who lived in Balcomie, in the parish of Crail, in the county of Fifeshire. [1]

Early Origins of the Baucom family

The surname Baucom was first found in Fife, where one of the first records of the family was "Robert de Balcomie who was constable of Crail in 1297 is probably the Robert de Balcomi who served as juror on an inquest made at Perth in 1305. John de Balcolmy was bailie of Crail in 1359, and c. 1380 mention is made of the lands of Richard de Balcolmi in the same town. Thomas de Balcolmi appears in record in 1429, James Balcolmy was married in 1492." [1]

In England, the family is thought to have originated at Balcombe (Baegloc's hollow), in Sussex. [2] [3] In this case, the place name dates back to the late 11th century when it was known as Balecumba and possible meant "valley of a man called Bealda." [4]

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. John de Balecomb was listed in Sussex in 1327 as was Thomas Bakombe in the Subsidy Rolls for 1525. [5]

Early History of the Baucom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baucom research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1359, 1380 and 1672 are included under the topic Early Baucom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baucom Spelling Variations

Scribes in the Middle Ages did not have access to a set of spelling rules. They spelled according to sound, the result was a great number of spelling variations. In various documents, Baucom has been spelled Balcom, Balcome, Balcomb, Balcomm, Balcombe and others.

Early Notables of the Baucom family

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

Baucom Ranking

In the United States, the name Baucom is the 7,554th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [6]

Migration of the Baucom family

The cruelties suffered under the new government forced many to leave their ancient homeland for the freedom of the North American colonies. Those who arrived safely found land, freedom, and opportunity for the taking. These hardy settlers gave their strength and perseverance to the young nations that would become the United States and Canada. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the name Baucom: Alexander Balcom, who came to Rhode Island in 1664, Henry Balcom, who is on record in Charlestown, MA in 1664; Jonas Balcom, who arrived in Nova Scotia some time between 1735-1835.


Contemporary Notables of the name Baucom (post 1700) +

  • Terry Baucom (1952-2023), nicknamed "The Duke of Drive", an American bluegrass singer, banjo player, and band leader of The Dukes of Drive, founding member of Boone Creek, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and IIIrd Tyme Out
  • Chad Baucom (1967-2016), American Tennessee Walking Horse trainer, best known for winning the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on the stallion Walk Time Charlie
  • Jorian Nicole Baucom (b. 1996), American professional soccer player who most recently played as a forward for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League
  • Robert Franklin "Duggar" Baucom (b. 1960), American college basketball head coach at The Citadel
  • Donald H. Baucom (b. 1949), American clinical psychology faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
  • David Folk Baucom (b. 1959), retired United States Navy Rear Admiral, former White House military aide to the president, director of the US Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center in Kuwait, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, commander of Fleet & Industrial Supply Center in Norfolk, Virginia, and strategy and policy director of the US Transportation Command


The Baucom 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: Dum spiro spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I hope.


  1. 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)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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