Show ContentsBalkack History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Balkack date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in Hertfordshire. The name was taken from the market town of Baldock in Hertfordshire. This place name is of an unusual Arabic derivation. The town was named by the Knights Templar, who held a manor in the area in the 12th century, after the city of Baghdad, which was spelled Baldac in Old English. It means the city of Dat.

Early Origins of the Balkack family

The surname Balkack was first found in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

One of the first records of the family was Ralph de Baldock (d. 1313), "Bishop of London and Lord Chancellor, whose early history is unknown, first appears in 1271 as holding the prebendal stall of Holborn, in which Robert Burnel, Edward I's great chancellor, had preceded him. Robert de Baldock (d. 1327), was Lord Chancellor, [and] first appears in the records as obtaining a grant of the royal rights over a manor in Surrey in 1287." 1

Early History of the Balkack family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Balkack research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1307, 1327, 1500, 1624 and 1691 are included under the topic Early Balkack History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Balkack Spelling Variations

Balkack 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 Balkack have been found, including Baldock, Balldock, Balldcock, Baldcock and others.

Early Notables of the Balkack family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Robert Baldock (c.1624-1691), an English judge who claimed descent from Robert de Baldock, Lord Chancellor in Essex during King Edward's reign...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Balkack Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Balkack 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 Balkacks to arrive on North American shores: Dasey Baldock, who came to Virginia in 1638; Sarah Baldock, who arrived in Maryland in 1774; Richard Baldock, who settled in Rappahannock Virginia in 1747.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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