Show ContentsBabits History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Babits family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Suffolk. The surname Babits refers to a person who came from Babe, which may refer to an area known as the Hundred of Babegh in the county of Suffolk. The place-name literally means Babba's enclosure. Babba is a personal name meaning protector. 1 2

Le Babbe is a nickname from babe, a Middle English word used c. 1230 meaning 'infant, young child'. 3

Early Origins of the Babits family

The surname Babits was first found in Suffolk where Alwinus Babbe was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1198. A few years later, Richard Babbe was found in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1203. Ralph le Babb(e) was found in Wiltshire in 1199 and Walter le Babbe in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 3

Early History of the Babits family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Babits research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Babits History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Babits Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Babits include Babe, Babb, Babbs, Babbe and others.

Early Notables of the Babits family

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

Ireland Migration of the Babits family to Ireland

Some of the Babits family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 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 Babits family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Babits were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Edward Babb, who settled in Virginia in 1639; Patrick Babe arrived in New England in 1761; George, James, John, Luke, and Owen, all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1833 to 1858. In Newfoundland, John Bab(b) settled in St. John's in 1681.


Contemporary Notables of the name Babits (post 1700) +

  • Mihály Babits (1883-1941), Hungarian poet


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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