Backey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Backey

What does the name Backey mean?

The Backey family saga is rooted in the people of the Pictish Clan of ancient Scotland. The Backey family lived in the county of Angus at the old manor of Baike.

Early Origins of the Backey family

The surname Backey was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times as Lords of the manor of Baikie. However, by the 14th century this family appears to have moved north to the Orkneys where they became a prominent family.

Early History of the Backey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backey research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1697 and 1952 are included under the topic Early Backey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backey Spelling Variations

Prior to the invention of the printing press in the last hundred years, documents were basically unique. Names were written according to sound, and often appeared differently each time they were recorded. Spelling variations of the name Backey include Backie, Baikie, Bakey, Baikey, Baky, Baickie and others.

Early Notables of the Backey family

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

Migration of the Backey family

The freedom of the North American colonies was enticing, and many Scots left to make the great crossing. It was a long and hard journey, but its reward was a place where there was more land than people and tolerance was far easier to come by. Many of these people came together to fight for a new nation in the American War of Independence, while others remained loyal to the old order as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of Scots in North America have recovered much of this heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and other such organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important and early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Backey: Lennard Baickie who landed in America in 1712.

The Backey 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: Commodum non damnum
Motto Translation: A convenience not an injury.