Backwith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Backwith

What does the name Backwith mean?

Backwith is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Backwith family lived in the town of Barkwith, in the county of Lincolnshire.

Early Origins of the Backwith family

The surname Backwith was first found in Lincolnshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Backwith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backwith research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1600 and 1601 are included under the topic Early Backwith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backwith Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Backwith are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Backwith include Barksworth, Backwith, Backworth, Barkworth, Barkwith, Barkworse and many more.

Early Notables of the Backwith family

Mark Barkworth or Lambert (d. 1601), a Benedictine monk, native of Lincolnshire who converted to the Catholic faith at the age of twenty-two. "After being admitted to holy orders he was sent to labour on the English mission. He...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Backwith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Backwith family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Backwith, or a variant listed above: John Barkeworth who settled in Virginia in 1654.

The Backwith 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: Esto quod esse videris
Motto Translation: Be what you seem to be.