Show ContentsBuckmen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Buckmen is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person who shared a fanciful resemblance with a goat or a male deer. The name is derived from either the Old English word buc, meaning he goat, or male deer. This name would originally have been applied to someone one thought resembled a he-goat or male deer. 1

Interestingly, there may a Norman connection as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Radulphus de Bucca as living in Normandy in 1180. 2

Early Origins of the Buckmen family

The surname Buckmen was first found in Norfolk, where the name has been "represented in the county as far back as the 13th century. The name of Buck is now most numerous around Norwich." 3

However, by the late 13th century, the name was scattered throughout ancient Britain. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Robert Bok, Huntingdonshire; Richard Boke, Oxfordshire; Robert de le Buk, Essex; and Thomas Buk, Cambridgeshire as all holding lands at that time. 4

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Robertus Buk, proving that the Latin version of naming was still in use at that time. 4

By the 15th century, some of the family were found further north in Scotland. There John Buc, was a charter witness in Glasgow, 1495. A few years later, Thomas Buk from Dunfermline had a remission in 1508. Alexander Buk was admitted Burgess of Aberdeen, 1506, and Duncan Buk held that position in 1560. 5

Early History of the Buckmen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buckmen research. Another 224 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1313, 1400, 1540, 1560, 1591, 1622, 1658, 1696, 1753 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Buckmen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buckmen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Buckmen have been found, including Buck, Bucke, Buch, Buke and others.

Early Notables of the Buckmen family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir John Buck, Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Sir George Buck (1560-1622), was an antiquarian who served as Master of the Revels to King James I of England. "He was descended from a good family which had formerly held large estates in Yorkshire and Suffolk. For taking the side of King Richard III at the battle of Bosworth Field his ancestors were deprived of most of...
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Buckmen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Buckmen family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become powerful new nations. Among early immigrants of the Buckmen surname to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were: Isaac and Richard Buck who arrived in Barbados in 1635; Old Buck settled in Virginia in 1650; Susan Buck and her husband settled in New England in 1637.



The Buckmen 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: Fide et fortitudine
Motto Translation: By fidelity and fortitude.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. 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)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. 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)


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