Show ContentsBappir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Bappir comes from the family having resided in Baber, in the county of Suffolk. There is also a place in Cornwall called Baber (sometimes known as St. Dominick) from which some cases of the name may originate, but it is of later origin than the one in Suffolk.

"This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Baber.' Mr. Lower derives it from the Hundred of Babergh, Suffolk. But in the Cornwall Directory occurs a place called Baber, seemingly the same as St. Dominick. Baber is a familiar Devon and Cornwall surname. " 1

Significantly, one source notes that the name could have been Gaelic in origin, from "Babair or Basbair, a fencer or swordsman; one who, by his blows, produced death; from Bas, death, and fear, a man." 2

Early Origins of the Bappir family

The surname Bappir was first found in Cambridgeshire, where Henry Babre was registered in the Hundrendorum Rolls of 1273. 1

Early History of the Bappir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bappir research. Another 206 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1532, 1571, 1572, 1578, 1582, 1593, 1601, 1608, 1621, 1625, 1628, 1629, 1635, 1640, 1642, 1644, 1660, 1669, 1677, 1687, 1700, 1704 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Bappir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bappir Spelling Variations

Bappir 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: Baber, Babre, Bayber, Baybre, Babar, Baybar, Babor, Babir and many more.

Early Notables of the Bappir family

Distinguished members of the family include Edward Baber (1532-1578), an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Bath (1571 to 1572); John Baber (1593-1644), an English lawyer and politician, Member of Parliament for Wells (1628-1629) and in 1640; and Sir John Baber, M.D. (1625-1704), an English physician to Charles II. He was the son of John Baber, recorder of Wells, Somersetshire, and was born 18 April 1625. He was educated at Westminster school, whence he...
Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bappir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bappir 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 Bappirs to arrive on North American shores: Francis Baber, who sailed to Massachusettes in 1635. Robert Baber journeyed to Virginia in 1663 and Nick Baber sailed to Philadelphia in 1838.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print


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