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Show ContentsBaines History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Baines is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Baines family lived in Baynes, near Bayeux, Normandy. 1 Today Baynes is part of Lower Normandy.

Early Origins of the Baines family

The surname Baines was first found in Dover, where Eustace de Bauns, witnessed a charter of William Peverill of Dover temp. William the Conqueror. Lucas de Bans, or Bayons, was from Lincolnshire. 1

Indeed the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Henry de Bayns and John de Bayns in Lincolnshire at that time. A few years later, John de Bayns was listed in Staffordshire temp. Henry III-Edward I. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls had only one listing of the name, Thomas de Baines in 1379. 2 The Assize Rolls of Lancashire listed William Banes in 1246. 3

"The principal mansion [of Littledale, Lancashire], called the Craggs, was granted by the first lord Monteagle to Richard Baines, his standard-bearer, for heroic conduct in the battle of Flodden-Field; and on the estate is a field which the standard-bearer named Flodden, from its similarity to the field whence his fortunes and honors sprang." 4

From about the 16th century, the name was found further north in Scotland. "Alexander Banys had a respite in 1541 for art and part of the slauchter of Schir William Stevinsoune, chaplane, on the Links of Kincrag about nine years before. This name was not uncommon in St. Andrews in the sixteenth century, and Thomas Banis, a bluegown, is recorded there in 1583. Andrew Beanes, flesher in Edinburgh, 1617, and another Andrew Baines was locksmith there, 1676." 5

Early History of the Baines family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baines research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1219, 1246, 1273, 1379, 1546, 1559, 1577, 1622, 1623, 1660, 1671, 1676, 1680, 1774 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Baines History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baines 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 Baines, Banes, Baynes, Bayns, Baynnes, Bainnes and others.

Early Notables of the Baines family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Sir Thomas Baines, M.D. (1622-1680), was an English physician, the lifelong companion of Sir John Finch, M.D. "An accident brought him under the notice of John Finch, then at the same college, and fro...
  • Edward Baines (1774-1848), was a prominent newspaper proprietor and politician in England

Baines Ranking

In the United States, the name Baines is the 3,520th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 6 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Baines is ranked the 731st most popular surname with an estimated 9,190 people with that name. 7

United States Baines migration to the United States +

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 Baines or a variant listed above:

Baines Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Baines, who landed in Virginia in 1622 8
  • Geo Baines, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 8
  • Christopher Baines, who landed in Maryland in 1679 8
  • John Baines, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 8
Baines Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Andrew Baines, who sailed to America in 1711
  • George Baines, who arrived in Maryland in 1734
Baines Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Henry Baines, who arrived in New York in 1820
  • Richard Baines, who landed in Arkansas in 1848 8
  • Allen Baines, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 8
  • Joseph Baines, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1854 8
  • Michael Baines, aged 36, who arrived in New York in 1854 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Baines migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Baines Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Henry Baines, British Convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
  • Mr. John Baines who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. James Baines, English convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
  • Mary Baines, English convict from Leicester, who was transported aboard the "Angelina" on April 25, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 12
  • Miss Catharine Baines, English convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 11th February 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Baines 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:

Baines Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Baines, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Sir Edward Paget" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th December 1850 14
  • Mr. John Baines, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 15
  • Mrs. Baines, British settler travelling from London with 2 sons and 2 daughters aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 15
  • Matthew Baines, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "African" in 1860
  • James Baines, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "African" in 1860
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Baines migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16
Baines Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Alice Baines, who sailed to Barbados in 1680

Contemporary Notables of the name Baines (post 1700) +

  • Robert A. Baines (b. 1946), American Democratic Party politician, Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, 2000-05; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New Hampshire, 2000, 2004 17
  • John D. Baines, American politician, Mayor of Charleston, West Virginia, 1882-84 17
  • Thomas Baines (1806-1881), English journalist and local historian, born at Leeds, the third son of the late Edward Baines, M.P 18
  • Thomas Baines (1822-1875), English artist and explorer of British colonial southern Africa and Australia 18
  • Peter Augustine Baines (1786-1843), English Catholic bishop, born on 25 June 1786, at Pear Tree Farm, within the township of Kirkby, near Liverpool, in Lancashire 18
  • John Baines (1787-1838), English mathematician, born at Westfield farmhouse in the parish of Horbury, Yorkshire, in 1787 18
  • Edward Baines (1774-1848), English newspaper-proprietor and politician, born at Walton-le-Dale, Lancashire, on 5 Feb. 1774, his father being a tradesman of Preston in that county 18
  • Rt. Rev. Nicholas Baines (b. 1957), English Bishop of Croydon
  • John Baines, English Egyptologist at Oxford University
  • Sir Frank Baines (1877-1933), English architect
  • ... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bradford City stadium fire
  • Alexander Shaw Baines (1915-1985), from Bradford who attended the Bradford City and Lincoln City Third Division match on 11th May 1985 when the Bradford City stadium fire occurred and he died in the fire
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Thomas Frederick Baines (d. 1945), British Marine aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 19
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Godfrey J Baines (b. 1910), English Leading Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Arthur Baines, British Leading Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 21
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Richard "Rich" Baines (d. 1912), aged 24, English Greaser from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 22

The Baines 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: Vel arte vel marte
Motto Translation: Either by art or strength.
  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. 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)
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  8. 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)
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
  12. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Angelina voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1844 with 171 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/angelina/1844
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth-and-henry
  14. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  15. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  17. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  18. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 6 June 2019
  19. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  20. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  21. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  22. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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