Show ContentsBabes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Babes

What does the name Babes mean?

The history of the Babes family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living in Suffolk. The surname Babes refers to a person who came from Babe, which may refer to an area known as the Hundred of Babegh in the county of Suffolk. The place-name literally means Babba's enclosure. Babba is a personal name meaning protector. 1 2

Le Babbe is a nickname from babe, a Middle English word used c. 1230 meaning 'infant, young child'. 3

Early Origins of the Babes family

The surname Babes was first found in Suffolk where Alwinus Babbe was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1198. A few years later, Richard Babbe was found in the Pipe Rolls for Devon in 1203. Ralph le Babb(e) was found in Wiltshire in 1199 and Walter le Babbe in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327. 3

Early History of the Babes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Babes research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Babes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Babes Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Babes include Babe, Babb, Babbs, Babbe and others.

Early Notables of the Babes family

More information is included under the topic Early Babes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Babes family to Ireland

Some of the Babes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 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 Babes family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Babes or a variant listed above: Edward Babb, who settled in Virginia in 1639; Patrick Babe arrived in New England in 1761; George, James, John, Luke, and Owen, all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1833 to 1858. In Newfoundland, John Bab(b) settled in St. John'.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook