Backwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Backwood

What does the name Backwood mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Backwood comes from when the family resided in the region of Packwood in Warwick. Backwood is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Backwood family

The surname Backwood was first found in Warwickshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, and were Lords of the manor of Packwood, some say before the Norman Conquest in England in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Backwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Backwood research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Backwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Backwood Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Backwood include Packwoode, Packwood, Packard, Packarde, Backwood and many more.

Early Notables of the Backwood family

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

Migration of the Backwood family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: L. W. Packwood who settled in New Orleans, La. in 1820; Augusta and Isaac Packard settled in Bristol, R.I. in 1823; Mary and Isaac Packard settled in New York, N.Y. in 1822. In Newfoundland, George Packwood settled in Round Harbour, Twillingate, in 1852..

The Backwood 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: None is truly great but he that is truly good