Barff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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• Wales

Early Origins of the Barff family

Early History of the Barff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barff research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1391, 1450, 1545, 1600, 1612, 1615 and 1622 are included under the topic Early Barff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barff Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. Recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Barff name over the years has been spelled Baugh, Bach, Bagh, Bawgh, Baughe, Bawghe and others.

Early Notables of the Barff family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Geoffrey Bagh, a prominent 15th century landholder in Shropshire.William Baffin (d. 1622), was an English navigator and discoverer, most probably a native of London, but nothing is known of his early life. "The earliest mention of him is in 1612, as pilot of the Patience, fitted out at Hull by James Hall, for a voyage of discovery to Greenland. Amongst early navigators Baffin takes a high place as one of the first who endeavoured to determine longitude at sea by astronomical observations. In his first recorded voyage to Greenland (8 July...
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barff family

The Welsh began to emigrate to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s in search of land, work, and freedom. Those that arrived helped shape the industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. The records regarding immigration and passenger show a number of people bearing the name Barff: Thomas Baugh, who sailed to Virginia in 1619. John Baugh journeyed to Barbados in 1671; Jonathan Baugh arrived in Virginia in 1729; Peter Baugh sailed to Philadelphia in 1832.