Show ContentsBaconsthorp History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Baconsthorp family

The surname Baconsthorp was first found in Norfolk at Blakeney, a small sea-port, post-town, and parish, in the union of Walsingham, hundred of Holt. "In this monastery [of Blakeney], John de Baconthorpe, a learned divine and acute metaphysician, became a friar; he was born here, and died in London in 1346." 1

Another source notes that John Baconthorpe, Bacon or Bacho (d. 1346), the 'Resolute Doctor,' "took his name from Baconsthorpe, a small Norfolk village in the hundred of South Erpingham. According to the elaborate genealogy of the Bacon family among the British Museum manuscripts. He was the third son of Sir Thomas Bacon of Baconsthorpe, and grandnephew of the famous Roger Bacon. " 2

Early History of the Baconsthorp family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baconsthorp research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1340, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Baconsthorp History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baconsthorp Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Baconsthorp were recorded, including Baconthorp, Baconthorpe, Baconsthorp, Baconsthorpe, Beconthorp, Beconsthorp, Beconthorpe, Becnsthrupp, Beconsthrop and many more.

Early Notables of the Baconsthorp family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • the Baconsthorpe family of Yorkshire

Migration of the Baconsthorp family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Baconsthorp family emigrate to North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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