Show ContentsBaldwin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Baldwin is one of the names carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is based on the Germanic elements bald, which means bold, and wine, which means friend or protector.

Baldwin (d. 1098) was abbot and physician, "a monk of St. Denys, and was made prior of the monastery of Liberau, a cell of St. Denys, in Alsace. When Edward the Confessor refounded the monastery of Deerhurst and gave it to St. Denys, Baldwin was appointed prior of this new possession of his house. " [1]

"Baldwin of Moeles (d. 1100?) was the second son of Gilbert, count of Eu, who was a grandson of Richard the Fearless, and one of the guardians of the youth of William the Conqueror. " [1]

Baldwin (d. 1191), Archbishop of Canterbury, was born at Exeter of poor parents. "He received an excellent education, both in secular and religious learning, and bore a high character. " [1] "Archbishop Baldwin, who died at Tyre in 1191, while engaged on a crusade." [2]

Baldwin of Clare (fl. 1141) was the "youngest son of Gilbert Fitz-Richard, of the elder branch of the line of Gilbert, count of Eu, grandson of Richard the Fearless. Baldwin of Redvers (d. 1155) was the eldest son of Richard, earl of Devon, the son of Baldwin of Moeles. " [1]

Baldwin, the Count of Flanders (1172-1205), led the Fourth Crusade and became the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople (1204). Baldwin of Exeter or Baldwin of Forde (c.1125-1190) was Bishop of Worcester in 1180 and Archbishop of Canterbury between 1185 and 1190.

Early Origins of the Baldwin family

The surname Baldwin was first found in Shropshire, where this ancient family "was early seated at Diddlebury, (or Delbury,) in Coverdale, which appears to have come from the heiress of Wigley. Robert Baldwin of Diddlebury died anno 1398, and was ancestor of the family." [3]

"The Sieur de Baudewin, whose name occurs of the Roll [of Battle Abbey] became after the battle of Hastings Catellan of Montgomery. There scarcely exists a doubt that this Norman Chief was patriarch of the ancient family of Bawdewin, or Baldwyn. " [4]

"The parish [of Witsbury in Wiltshire] formed part of the possessions of Breamore Priory, founded by Baldwin de Redveriis in the reign of Henry I. It is situated on the highest land between Hants and Wilts, commanding an extensive view of the New Forest, and southward to the sea over a wide tract of fertile country." [5]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Stephen filius Baldewyn in Cambridgeshire; Thomas Baldwyn in Oxfordshire; Robert Baldewyne in Cambridgeshire. [6] Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes Bawdwyn.

"Baldwin the Sheriff, or Baldwin de Redvers (otherwise De Sap, or De Brioniis), was the most important feudal lord in Devon. No fewer than 181 manors fell to his share in this county alone. Ninety-two fees were held of this barony. Here in the centre of his domains, in the very heart of Devon, commanding the passes to the north and west of Dartmoor, and dominating the district far away to the Severn Sea, he reared his castle. None of his masonry remains ; but the site is that which he chose, the mound is that which he scarped and isolated from the hillside, of which it formed a rocky spur ; and the surroundings have changed little from the day when the square Norman keep first frowned upon the brawling waters of the rapid Ockrent [River] in the valley below. " [2]

Early History of the Baldwin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baldwin research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1295, 1307, 1500, 1532, 1545, 1547, 1563, 1585, 1593, 1618, 1620, 1632, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1659, 1683, 1691, 1696 and 1905 are included under the topic Early Baldwin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baldwin Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Baldwin, Baldwine, Baldwyn, Baldwyne, Baldwynn and others.

Early Notables of the Baldwin family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • John Baldwin (d. 1545), Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, a member of the Inner Temple
  • William Baldwin or Bawden (1563-1632), was a Jesuit and native of Cornwall. Another William Baldwin (fl. 1547), was "a west-countryman, spent several years at Oxford in the study of logic and philosop...

Baldwin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Baldwin is the 338th most popular surname with an estimated 79,584 people with that name. [7] However, in Canada, the name Baldwin is ranked the 855th most popular surname with an estimated 6,242 people with that name. [8] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Baldwin is the 513rd popular surname with an estimated 90 people with that name. [9] Australia ranks Baldwin as 429th with 8,719 people. [10] New Zealand ranks Baldwin as 579th with 1,230 people. [11] The United Kingdom ranks Baldwin as 325th with 18,871 people. [12]

Ireland Migration of the Baldwin family to Ireland

Some of the Baldwin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Baldwin migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Baldwin or a variant listed above:

Baldwin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George Baldwin who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1620
  • Francis Baldwin, who landed in Virginia in 1622 [13]
  • Nicholas Baldwin, who landed in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship "Truelove", killed by 1624 [13]
  • John Baldwin, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 [13]
  • William Baldwin, who landed in Virginia in 1623 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baldwin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Inc Baldwin, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 [13]
  • Edward Baldwin, who landed in Maryland in 1753 [13]
  • Samuel Baldwin, who landed in America in 1774 [13]
Baldwin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Cath Baldwin, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 [13]
  • Thomas Baldwin, who landed in New York in 1822 [13]
  • Daniel Baldwin, who landed in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1838 [13]
  • John P Baldwin, aged 31, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1838 [13]
  • Benjamin Baldwin, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1840 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Baldwin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Baldwin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mary and Richard Baldwin were planters in 1724 in Placienta, Newfoundland [14]
  • Rebecca Baldwin, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Luke Baldwin, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mary and William Baldwin, who settled in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1765 [14]
  • Mr. John Baldwin U.E. born in Philadelphia, USA who settled in St. George, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 member of the Penobscot Association [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baldwin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mary Baldwin, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Thomas Hanford" from Cork, Ireland
  • Mrs. Mary Baldwin, aged 25 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wm S. Hamilton" departing from the port of New Ross, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [16]
  • Mr. William Baldwin, aged 2 months who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Wm S. Hamilton" departing from the port of New Ross, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [16]
  • Mr. John Baldwin, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Free Trader" departing 22nd June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 14th August 1847 but he died on board [17]
Baldwin Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • S J Baldwin, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Australia Baldwin migration to Australia +

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

Baldwin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Margaret Baldwin, (b. 1783), aged 30, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
  • Mr. Richard Baldwin, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [19]
  • Maria Baldwin, English convict from Surrey, who was transported aboard the "America" on December 30, 1830, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [20]
  • William Baldwin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Hooghly" in 1839 [21]
  • Eliza Baldwin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Fairlee" in 1840 [22]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Baldwin 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:

Baldwin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Baldwin, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Stately" in 1851
  • Mr. William James Baldwin, (b. 1818), aged 33, British settler born in Gloucestershire travelling from London aboard the ship "Stately" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 1st June 1851 [23]
  • William Baldwin, aged 38, a drummer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 [24]
  • Sarah Baldwin, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 [24]
  • Michael Baldwin, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Inchinnan" in 1852 [24]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Baldwin (post 1700) +

  • Alexander Rae "Alec" Baldwin (b. 1958), Emmy, Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe Award-winning, American actor, perhaps best known for his portrayal as President Donald Trump
  • Dalton Baldwin (1931-2019), American collaborative pianist who made more than 100 recordings and won numerous prizes
  • James Tennant Baldwin (1933-2018), American industrial designer and writer; a student and close friend of Buckminster Fuller
  • Peter Baldwin (1931-2017), American Emmy Award winning actor and director of film and television, known for his work on The Wonder Years, Sanford and Son and Newhart
  • Robert Hayes Burns Baldwin (1920-2016), American banker, Chairman of Morgan Stanley in the 1970s, United States Under Secretary of the Navy (1965-1967)
  • Caleb Cook Baldwin (b. 1820), American clergyman, one of the first Presbyterian missionaries to Foochow, China
  • Dwight Hamilton Baldwin (1821-1899), American founder of the Baldwin Piano Company in 1857
  • David Dwight Baldwin (1831-1912), American businessman, educator, and biologist from Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawaii
  • Abraham Baldwin (1754-1807), American politician, Patriot, and Founding Father from the U.S. state of Georgia
  • Brigadier-General Geoffrey Prescott Baldwin (1892-1951), American Chairman of I Section, War Department Manpower Board (1943-1946) [25]
  • ... (Another 25 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Philip R Baldwin (b. 1924), English Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Porthill, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [26]
  • Mr. Kenneth E G Baldwin (b. 1905), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Coleford, Gloucester, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [26]
HMS Royal Oak
  • Albert Stephen Baldwin (1905-1939), born in Battersea, London, England, British Leading Signalman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking [27]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Thomas Baldwin, English First Waiter from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [28]
  • Mr. Edgar Baldwin, English First Waiter from Wavertree, Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [28]
  • Mr. Harry Bradley Baldwin, American 1st Class Passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [28]
  • Mrs. Mary Margaret Baldwin, (née MacCauley), American 1st Class Passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [28]


The Baldwin 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: Je n'oublierai pas
Motto Translation: I will never forget.


Suggested Readings for the name Baldwin +

  • The Baldwins: From Virginia Westward by Frank C. Baldwin.
  • The Descendants of Joseph Baldwin by Donald J. Sublette.

  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
  3. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  4. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  6. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  9. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. 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)
  14. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  15. 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
  16. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 12)
  17. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 64)
  18. Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  20. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1830 with 135 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1830
  21. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HOOGHLY 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Hooghly.htm
  22. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FAIRLIE/FAIRLEE 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Fairlie.htm
  23. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  24. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  25. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 6) Geoffrey Baldwin. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Baldwin/Geoffrey_Prescott/USA.html
  26. 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
  27. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  28. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


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