Backshell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Backshell comes from the family having resided in Derbyshire, where they were found since the early Middle Ages before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

We should take a moment to explore one source's claim that the name came from "Bagshot; a location name in Surrey, Wiltshire. " 1

As far as the chapelry of Bagshot in Surrey is concerned, "this place, [was] formerly called Holy Hall. It was once a residence of the kings of England, who had a mansion here, and a park, which was laid open after the civil war in the reign of Charles I.: the house was occupied by the late Duke of Gloucester. On the borders of Bagshot Heath are some handsome villas. " 2 So one cannot deny that this would an agreeable and noble place to claim descent, the fact that "Holy Hall" was the original name of the chapelry seems to negate the possibility. That leaves the hamlet of Bagshot in Wiltshire as a possibility. We doubt this possibility too, as by the late 1800s, the hamlet's population was only 194. 2 Accordingly, we must defer to the aforementioned Derbyshire as the most likely place of origin.

Early Origins of the Backshell family

The surname Backshell was first found in Derbyshire. The first record was of Nicholas Bagshawe who married Alice of the Hall. He was forester to the King. He acquired the lands of Wormhill, and later built Wormhill Hall. "Derbyshire is the great home of the Bagshaws, who have preserved a distinguished name since the 15th century, when they resided at Abney and Wormhill." 3

Kirby's Quest notes some very early spellings in early rolls: Oliver de Bogeschaghe, Somerset and Richard de Boggeschaghe, Somerset 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign) 4

Nicholas Bagshawe and Humphry Bagshawe were both listed in the Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery, temp. Elizabeth I. 5 In the 13th century the name of De Baggesoure occurred in Shropshire. 3

Early History of the Backshell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backshell research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1589, 1593, 1604, 1625, 1628, 1629, 1634, 1640, 1644, 1657, 1662, 1671, 1696, 1702, 1721 and 1886 are included under the topic Early Backshell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backshell Spelling Variations

Backshell 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: Bagshaw, Bagshawe, Bagshott, Bagshot, Bagshote and others.

Early Notables of the Backshell family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Richard Bagshaw, Sheriff of Derby and Nottingham; Edward Bagshaw (or Bagshawe) the elder (ca. 1589-1662), an English author and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644, supporter of the Royalist cause in the English Civil War.Christopher Bagshaw (d. 1625?), was an English priest who came of a Derbyshire family. "Before going to Oxford he appears to have studied for a short time at Cambridge. "In 1593 he was confined with other priests and gentlemen in Wisbeach Castle. His fellow prisoners held him at first in great...
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Backshell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Backshell family to Ireland

Some of the Backshell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 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 Backshell family

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 Backshells to arrive on North American shores: Henry Bagshaw who settled in New England in 1751; Ben Bagshaw settled in Maryland in 1699; William Bagshaw who settled in Pennsylvania in 1867.

The Backshell 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: Forma floss
Motto Translation: Beauty is a flower.

Citations +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
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.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)