Baird History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland-Alt 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Baird. It is a name for someone who works as a poet, which was originally derived from the Gaelic word bard. 1

Early Origins of the Baird family

The surname Baird was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

According to legend, William the Lion, King of Scotland was alarmed by the approach of a wild boar, while hunting in one of the southwestern counties. Baird, who was a follower in the King's train, came forward to assist the King. Baird needed only a single arrow to slay the boar, and was rewarded for this service by the king. He was granted large areas of lands, and was assigned a Coat of Arms on which there is a wild boar. King William also commanded that Baird would have as his motto Dominus Fecit (The Lord made). In the Churchyard of Banff, Scotland, Baird's Arms may still be seen in an ancient monument to the Bairds of Auchmeddan.

Early History of the Baird family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baird research. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1616, 1620, 1632, 1647, 1654, 1656, 1658, 1667, 1686, 1690, 1697, 1698, 1715, 1717, 1736, 1737, 1739, 1740, 1743, 1745, 1748, 1753, 1759 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Baird History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baird Spelling Variations

Before the printing press standardized spelling in the last few hundred years, no general rules existed in the English language. Spelling variations in Scottish names from the Middle Ages are common even within a single document. Baird has been spelled Baird, Bard, Barde, Baard, Bayard, Beard and many more.

Early Notables of the Baird family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Baird World Ranking

In the United States, the name Baird is the 911st most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Baird is ranked the 826th most popular surname with an estimated 6,490 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Baird is the 349th popular surname with an estimated 133 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Baird as 644th with 6,059 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Baird as 325th with 1,909 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Baird as 712nd with 9,444 people. 7

Migration of the Baird family to Ireland

Some of the Baird family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Baird migration to the United States +

For Scottish immigrants, the great expense of travel to North America did not seem such a problem in those unstable times. Acres of land awaited them and many got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. These Scots and their ancestors went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. Among them:

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

Baird migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

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

Baird migration to Australia +

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

Baird Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Baird 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:

Baird Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Baird (post 1700) +


The Baird 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: Dominus fecit
Motto Translation: The Lord made.


Suggested Readings for the name Baird +
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