Backhurst History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Backhurst family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a worker at the bake-house. The bake-house was where all the people in a village would bake their bread in communal ovens. 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Backhurst family

The surname Backhurst was first found in London where Walter de Bakhous was registered in 1306. Later Richard del Bakhous was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332, Thomas Bachous, again in London in 1334 and Charles Baccus in Yorkshire in 1544. 3

In Somerset, we found two early entries: William atte Bakchous; and Nicholas atte Bakhouse. Both were registered 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 4

In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Thomas del Bakhouse and William del Bakeus as holding lands there at that time. 1

Early History of the Backhurst family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backhurst research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1538, 1554, 1571, 1593, 1598, 1601, 1626, 1662, 1753 and 1894 are included under the topic Early Backhurst History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backhurst Spelling Variations

Backhurst 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. Many variations of the name Backhurst have been found, including Backhouse, Baccus, Bachus, Bakehouse, Backas, Backhuse and many more.

Early Notables of the Backhurst family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Backhurst Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Backhurst family to Ireland

Some of the Backhurst family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backhurst 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 Backhursts to arrive on North American shores:

Backhurst Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Backhurst, who arrived in Maryland in 1667 5
Anne Backhurst, who landed in Maryland in 1672 5

Backhurst 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:

Backhurst Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

George Backhurst, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celestial Queen" in 1872
Maria Backhurst, aged 31, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celestial Queen" in 1872
Ellen Backhurst, aged 2, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Celestial Queen" in 1872

The Backhurst 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: Confido in Deo
Motto Translation: I trust in God.

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
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.
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)