| ![Show Contents]() Backes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Backes 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 Backes familyThe surname Backes 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 Backes familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backes 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 Backes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Backes Spelling VariationsBackes has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Back, Backe, Bace, Bac, Bak, Bache, Bax and others. Early Notables of the Backes familyMore information is included under the topic Early Backes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Backes RankingIn the United States, the name Backes is the 11,414th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 9
 Backes migration to the United States | + |
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Backess to arrive on North American shores:
Backes Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Thomas Backes, who landed in Brazil in 1827 10
- Peter Backes, who arrived in North America in 1852 10
- August Backes, who landed in Brazil in 1857 10
- Valentin Backes, who arrived in Brazil in 1859 10
- Conrad Backes, who landed in North America in 1862 10
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Backes (post 1700) | + |
- David Backes (b. 1957), American author and professor
- Joan Backes, American artist
- Ron Backes (b. 1963), retired American shot putter
- Scott Backes (b. 1957), American mountaineer
- David Anthony Backes (b. 1984), American professional NHL ice hockey center and right winger and captain of the St. Louis Blues, two-time Olympian
- Fernand Backes (b. 1932), Luxembourg boxer at the 1952 Summer Olympics, Chevalier in the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in 2008
- 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)
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
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Backes migration to the United States 
England
Scotland
