Backler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Backler

What does the name Backler mean?

Cornwall in southwestern England provides the original birthplace of the surname Backler. Nickname surnames were rare among the Cornish, they did occasionally adopt names that reflected the physical characteristics or other attributes of the original bearer of the name. The name Backler is a nickname type of surname for a young, unmarried man having derived from the Old French word bachelor, of the same meaning. 1

Early Origins of the Backler family

The surname Backler was first found in Devon, where John de Bakalur was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1196. Years later in Shropshire (Salop), Nicholas le Bakelere was listed in 1320. 2

Early History of the Backler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backler research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1320, 1524, 1641 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Backler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backler Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Backler, Bacler, Bakler, Bakalur, Bakelere, Backlor, Backlur and many more.

Early Notables of the Backler family

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

Backler migration to the United States +

Some of the first North American settlers with Backler name or one of its variants:

Backler Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johann Matthaeus Backler, who settled in Georgia between 1733 and 1783

Backler migration to Canada +

Backler Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Catherine Backler, who arrived in Ontario in 1871

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)