Berkus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The history of the name Berkus dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from a member of the family who worked as a worker at the bake-house. The bake-house was where all the people in a village would bake their bread in communal ovens. 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Berkus family

The surname Berkus was first found in London where Walter de Bakhous was registered in 1306. Later Richard del Bakhous was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332, Thomas Bachous, again in London in 1334 and Charles Baccus in Yorkshire in 1544. 3

In Somerset, we found two early entries: William atte Bakchous; and Nicholas atte Bakhouse. Both were registered 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 4

In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Thomas del Bakhouse and William del Bakeus as holding lands there at that time. 1

Early History of the Berkus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berkus research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1538, 1554, 1571, 1593, 1598, 1601, 1626, 1662, 1753 and 1894 are included under the topic Early Berkus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berkus Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Berkus has undergone many spelling variations, including Backhouse, Baccus, Bachus, Bakehouse, Backas, Backhuse and many more.

Early Notables of the Berkus family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Berkus Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Berkus family to Ireland

Some of the Berkus family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Berkus family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Berkus were among those contributors: Andrew Backhouse who settled by the Oswegatchie River in 1822; Henry Bachus arrived in Philadelphia in 1774; Joane Bakehouse settled in Virginia in 1654..

The Berkus 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: Confido in Deo
Motto Translation: I trust in God.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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.