Backwork History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Backwork was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Backwork family lived in the town of Barkwith, in the county of Lincolnshire.

Early Origins of the Backwork family

The surname Backwork was first found in Lincolnshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Backwork family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backwork research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1600 and 1601 are included under the topic Early Backwork History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backwork Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Barksworth, Backwith, Backworth, Barkworth, Barkwith, Barkworse and many more.

Early Notables of the Backwork family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Mark Barkworth or Lambert (d. 1601), a Benedictine monk, native of Lincolnshire who converted to the Catholic faith at the age of twenty-two. "After being admitted to holy orders he was...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Backwork Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Backwork family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Backwork or a variant listed above: John Barkeworth who settled in Virginia in 1654.

The Backwork 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: Esto quod esse videris
Motto Translation: Be what you seem to be.