Show ContentsBaten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Baten is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. Baten is a name that comes from the Old English given name Batte, a pet form of Bartholomew. [1]

Early Origins of the Baten family

The surname Baten was first found in Somerset, where the "family of Batten have been seated for nearly six centuries. They are considered of Flemish origin. Among eminent merchants of the staple (wool-trade) temp. Edward I., were several De Beteyns and Batyns." [2]

The Subsidy Rolls of 1327 in Somerset include two entries for the family: Balin Bythemore; and Bathon Mayster. From these early spellings, the Feet of Fines of 1248 in Essex includes an entry for Walter Batun and later, Robert Batin was found in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1261. The Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire includes William Baton in 1275 and the same rolls for Staffordshire in 1327 lists John Batten. [3]

"Batten is an estate in the parish of North Hill, Cornwall, where an ancient gentle family of the name once resided. The Battens are now established in the Honiton district, and the Battings in the Exeter district. There was a Joel Batin in the hundred of Wonford as far back as the 13th century. Somersetshire, however, would appear to be the ancient home of the name, and for six centuries the name has been established there, though now scantily represented." [4]

Again in Somerset, we found the following early entries for the family as both a forename and surname: Thomas Batyn; Batin atte Vete; Batin Power; Batin Walkelayn: and Bathon Mayster. All were listed as 1 Edward III, in other words during the first year of the reign of King Edward III. [5]

Early History of the Baten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baten research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1500, 1561, 1580, 1600, 1624, 1630, 1633, 1661, 1667, 1687, 1720, 1743 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Baten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baten Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Baten family name include Batten, Battin, Battyne, Baten, Batin, Batton and many more.

Early Notables of the Baten family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Batten (c. 1600-1667), an English naval officer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1661 to 1667; and Henry Beighton (1687-1743), an English engineer and surveyor, Fellow of the Royal Society in 1720.Adrian Batten (fl. 1630), was organist of St. Paul's, the dates of whose birth and death cannot be ascertained. He was educated in the choir of Winchester Cathedral under John Holmes. In 1624 he removed to St. Paul's Cathedral, where he held the same office in addition to that of organist. Batten's name is well known...
Another 152 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Baten migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Baten family to immigrate North America:

Baten Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hugh Baten who was recorded as having arrived in Mobile County, Alabama in 1840
  • Hugh Baten, who landed in Mobile County, Ala in 1840 [6]
  • W Baten, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 [6]
  • W. Baten, who arrived in San Francisco in 1851


  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. 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)


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