Contents [hide]

Buck History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Buck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany

The German state of Prussia, which reached the zenith of its power in the late 19th century, is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Buck. In the medieval era, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the German lands were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the Barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. The colorful history of Brandenburg-Prussia provides a glimpse at the oldest origins of the Buck family.

Early Origins of the Buck family

The surname Buck was first found in Brandenburg, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Buck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buck research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1509, 1564, 1591, 1661, 1774, 1813, 1817, 1824, 1837, 1853, 1858, 1892 and 1899 are included under the topic Early Buck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buck Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Buck include Buch, Buche, Bucher, Buechner, Bueche, Buck, Beuck and many more.

Early Notables of the Buck family

Notable figures of the time with the name Buck were August Buchner (1591-1661), who wrote German and Latin poetry; Georg Buechner (1813-1837) was a political revolutionary and dramatist, who died in exile in Switzerland; his brother, Ludwig Buechner (1824-1899), was a controversial scientist and author. Lothar Bucher (1817-1892) was...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Buck Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buck Ranking

In the United States, the name Buck is the 755^th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 1 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Buck is ranked the 822^nd most popular surname with an estimated 8,261 people with that name. 2

Buck migration to the United States +

Much of German history has been shaped by the state of Prussia. It was an enduring military power until after the Second World War. At that time, the state was abolished altogether and its land divided between the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. While some Prussians were content to remain in those countries, others moved away, many of them migrating to North America. They entered the United States mostly through Philadelphia, moving on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Others went to Canada, settling on the prairies and in the province of Ontario. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were:

Buck Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christian Buck, aged 26, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 3
Peter Buck, who landed in Virginia in 1635 3
Tho Buck, aged 17, who landed in Virginia in 1635 3
Wilton Buck, aged 50, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 3
Robert Buck, aged 18, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Buck, who landed in Virginia in 1705 3
Martin Buck, who arrived in New York NY in 1710-1714 3
William Buck, who landed in Virginia in 1723 3
Hans Jail Buck, aged 40, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 3
Leonard Buck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Carle Buck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 3
Mr. Buck, who arrived in Mobile Ala in 1822 3
Johannes Buck, who landed in Brazil in 1825 3
Joh Jos Henr Buck, who arrived in America in 1830 3
Andreas Buck, aged 32, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alfred Buck, who landed in Chile in 1912 3

Buck migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Buck Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Buck, who settled in Plancentia, Newfoundland in 1730 4
Mr. Jonathan Buck U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 5
Mr. Mihitable Buck U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 5
Mr. Nichitable Buck U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 5
Private Philip Buck U.E. (b. 1742) born in Upper Rône Valley, Germany from Bowman Creek & Susquehanna River, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, USA who settled in Bertie Township [Welland County], Ontario on lots 6 and 7 Con. 8 and 9, in the First 400 acres, then Lots 35 in the 9th and 36 in the 10th Concessions in the Township of Beverly; Home District; Province of Upper Canada c. 1783 he enlisted in 1777 served as part of the Butler's Rangers Regiment married to Anna Marguerite Saultman they had 13 children, he died in 1813 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Nicholas Buck settled at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1821
Thomas Buck, aged 14, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Mary Buck, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland
John Buck, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland
John Buck, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck migration to Australia +

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

Buck Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Abel Buck, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 6
Mr. John Buck, English convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
William Buck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 8
Maria Buck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 8
Susan Buck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Buck Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Buck, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bernian
George Green Buck, aged 23, a smith, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Mary Ann Buck, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Alexandrina Buck, aged 9 months, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Henry Gregory Buck, aged 33, a miner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 9

Buck Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Isaac and Richard Buck who arrived in Barbados in 1635
Isack Buck, aged 33, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 3
Mr. Francis Buck, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 10
Mr. Richard Buck, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 11
Obadiah Buck, aged 27, who arrived in Barbados in 1684 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Buck (post 1700) +

Frank Forrest Buck (1943-2024), American politician who was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1973 to 2009
Christopher James "Chris" Buck (b. 1958), American Academy Award, Annie Award and BAFTA Award winning film director, animator, and screenwriter known for co-directing Tarzan (1999), Surf's Up (2007), Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019)
Tara L. Buck (b. 1975), American actress, best known for her role as Ginger in the television series True Blood
Peter Buck (1930-2021), American physicist, restaurateur, and philanthropist, co-founder of the Subway fast-food restaurant chain
Robert Creighton Buck (1920-1998), American mathematician who co-introduced Boas–Buck polynomials
Julie Anne Buck (b. 1974), American collage artist, photographer, filmmaker, and film archivist
Johnathan Richard Buck (b. 1980), American Major League Baseball catcher
John Buck (b. 1946), American sculptor and printmaker
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck (b. 1969), American sportscaster, son of sportscaster Jack Buck, recipient of numerous Sports Emmy Awards
John Francis "Jack" Buck (1924-2002), American sportscaster
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Buck family +

Bismarck

Helmut Buck (1916-1941), German Funkmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 12

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Mary Jane Buck (1872-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 13

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Clifton Charles Buck (1921-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 14

HMS Hood

Mr. Herbert T J Buck (b. 1897), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15
Mr. Arthur E J Buck (b. 1909), English Mechanician 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 15

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. James Buck, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 16

The Buck 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: Virtute et fidelitate
Motto Translation: By valour and fidelity.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CLEVELAND 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Cleveland.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html