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| Origins Available: |
| | England |
The name Bays is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a short person. The surname Bays is derived from the Old English words bas and basse, meaning low or short. These words ultimately stem from the Latin word bassus which means thick or heavy-set. The surname Bays may also be a nickname for someone resembling a fish, or it may be a metonymic name for someone holding the occupation of fishmonger.
The surname Bays was first found in Lincolnshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bays research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1500 and 1579 are included under the topic Early Bays History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bays has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Bays have been found, including Bays, Base, Bayse, Baise and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Bays Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Bays is the 4,561st most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bayss to arrive on North American shores:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: