Backe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Scotland

The Backe family's name is originates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon personal name Bacga, Bacca having derived from the Old Northern English bæc or Old Norse bekk-rir, belonging to Back, or dweller by a Brook. 1 2 3

In some cases, the name is from the Dutch Bac, Bak; a personal name. 4 In other cases, the name is "sometimes synonymous with Beck, but more generally either [means] a wharf or a ferry where it is pluralized to Backs, whence Bax." 5

Early Origins of the Backe family

The surname Backe was first found in Somerset, where the name first appears as an Old English Byname, Godwine Bace c. 1055. Later, Richard Bac was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Cornwall in 1182 and Richard Backe in Suffolk in 1277. Kenry le Bak was found in Kent in 1297. 6

Again in Somerset, John atte Back was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 7

Much later, we found two listing of the family in Scotland, Janet Back in Learbarmor, 1683 (Stirling), and George Back in Edinburgh, 1689. 8

Early History of the Backe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backe research. Another 208 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1055, 1182, 1277, 1297, 1327, 1349, 1369, 1563, 1594, 1689, 1754, 1796 and 1878 are included under the topic Early Backe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backe Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Backe include Back, Backe, Bace, Bac, Bak, Bache, Bax and others.

Early Notables of the Backe family

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

Backe migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Backe Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. James Samuel Backe, (b. 1866), aged 38, Cornish gardener, from Penryn, Cornwall travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 22nd May 1904 en route to Quincy, Massachusetts, USA 9

Backe migration to Australia +

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

Backe Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Backe, Cornish agricultural labourer departing from Soton on 18th November 1862 aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 26th February 1863 10
Miss Emma Backe, Cornish settler departing from Soton on 18th November 1862 aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 26th February 1863 10
Mr. George Backe, Cornish settler departing from Soton on 18th November 1862 aboard the ship "Ivanhoe" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 26th February 1863 10

Contemporary Notables of the name Backe (post 1700) +

John Backe (1932-2015), American television executive, President and CEO of CBS (1977-1980)

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
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)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf