Bacon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  France 
  Ireland 


Bacon is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bacon family lived in Suffolk. Originally, the name Bacon was originally derived from a seigniory in Normandy. Some of the family came from Maine, and there the name was also spelt Bacco. 1 This name appeared in England after members of the Bacon family had migrated from Normandy to Suffolk.

"Some derive this surname from the Saxon baccen or buccen, a beech—tree. Upon the monument of Thomas Bacon, in Brome Church in Suffolk (England), there is a beech—tree engraven in brass, with a man resting under it. It appears, also, that the first Lord—keeper, Sir Nicholas Bacon, with his two wives, are represented in a similar manner." 2

Early Origins of the Bacon family

The surname Bacon was first found in Suffolk, where they held a family seat at Monks' Bradfield as early as the reign of Richard (1189-1199.) 3 Now known as Bradfield St. George, Monks-Bradfield is a parish, in the union of Thingoe, hundred of Thedwastry, in the west division of Suffolk. 4

Shortly after the Conquest, some of the family was also found at Letheringsett, in Norfolk. "According to the genealogy of the great Suffolk family of Bacon, one Grimbald, a relative of the Norman chieftain William de Warenne, came to England and settled near Holt. His great grandson is stated to have taken the name Bacon. " 5

Not all the family went to England as seen by William Bacon who in 1082, endowed the abbey of the Holy Trinity at Caen. "Richard Bacon occurs later; and 1154 Roger Bacon held estates in Wiltshire. In 1165 Robert, William, and Alexander Bacon held four knights' fees of ancient enfeoffment in Essex from the Barony of Montfichet. " 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: John le Bacon. T. Cecilia Bacun in Norfolk; Wymer Bacon, Surrey; and Simon Bacon, Oxfordshire. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Walterus Bacun. 6

"Knightly families of Bacon or Bacune held manors in the 13th and 14th centuries in the parishes of Dengie and Mountnessing [Essex], manors which seem to have taken in each case the name of Bacon from their early lords. Probably the original Bacons of Essex branched off long ago from the great Suffolk family of Bachun, Bacun, or Bacon, itself descended from a Norman stock in the 11th century. In the 13th century, Bacun was a common name in Suffolk and Oxfordshire, and less so in Norfolk and Gloucestershire. " 7

Early History of the Bacon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bacon research. Another 208 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1214, 1294, 1500, 1510, 1512, 1540, 1561, 1567, 1579, 1586, 1587, 1593, 1594, 1600, 1618, 1621, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1626, 1645, 1647, 1657, 1660, 1663, 1666, 1672, 1676, 1685, 1687, 1700, 1707 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Bacon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bacon Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Bacon has been recorded under many different variations, including Bacon, Bachun, Bacun and others.

Early Notables of the Bacon family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Bacon World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bacon is the 1,041st most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 8 However, in Quebec, Canada, the name Bacon is ranked the 750th most popular surname. 9 And in France, the name Bacon is the 5,269th popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Bacon as 673rd with 9,819 people. 11

Migration of the Bacon family to Ireland

Some of the Bacon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Bacon migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Bacons were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Bacon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Bacon Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Bacon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Bacon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bacon Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Bacon Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Bacon Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Bacon migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Bacon Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Bacon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Bacon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bacon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Bacon migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Bacon Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Bacon (post 1700) +


The Bacon 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: Mediocria firma
Motto Translation: Mediocrity is safe.


Suggested Readings for the name Bacon +
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