Contents [hide]

Baker History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Baker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
England
Germany

The distinguished German surname Baker is derived from the German "Beck," meaning "baker," and was first borne as an occupational name.

Early Origins of the Baker family

The surname Baker was first found in East Prussia and Livonia, where the Baker family came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status.

Early History of the Baker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baker research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baker Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bakker, Baker, Bakkar, Bakar and others.

Early Notables of the Baker family

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

Baker World Ranking

In the United States, the name Baker is the 37^th most popular surname with an estimated 425,277 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Baker is ranked the 71^st most popular surname with an estimated 32,923 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Baker is the 50^th popular surname with an estimated 473 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Baker as 25^th with 51,495 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Baker as 43^rd with 5,425 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Baker as 39^th with 92,518 people. 6 South Africa ranks Baker as 974^th with 7,004 people. 7

Baker migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Baker Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Andrew Baker, who arrived in Maryland in 1623 8
Mr. John Baker, aged 20 who arrived in Virginia in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 9
Mr. William Baker, aged 20, British servant who arrived in Virginia prior to 1624 aboard the ship "Abigaile" 9
Mr. John Baker, British settler who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
Mrs. Charity Baker, British settler who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

James Baker, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1720 8
Sarah Baker, a servant who was recruited in London and sent to Pennsylvania in 1727
Frances Baker, who arrived in New England in 1731 8
Elizabeth Baker, who landed in Georgia in 1736 8
Hans Georg Baker, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joh Ant Baker, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 8
Heinrich Baker, who arrived in Winchester, Va in 1807 8
Diederick Ouus Baker, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1807 8
Anther Baker, who arrived in New York in 1825 8
Bebedict Baker, aged 25, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1832 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. William Baker, (b. 1884), aged 19, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd August 1903 en route to Norway, Michigan, USA 10

Baker migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Baker Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

John Baker, who immigrated to Fermeuse, Newfoundland in 1675 11

Baker Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Baker, who settled in Conception Bay, Newfoundland in 1706 11
Elizabeth Baker, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1750
James Baker, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Jeremiah Baker, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1760
John Baker, who arrived in Anapolis (Annapolis), Nova Scotia in 1760
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Henry Baker, who landed in Canada in 1800
A. Baker, who settled in Quebec in 1815
Daniel Baker, who arrived in Canada in 1831
Thomas Baker, aged 40, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Maria" from Cork, Ireland
William Baker, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Maria" from Cork, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

H W Baker, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Baker migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Baker Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Philip Baker, English convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Thomas Baker, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. William Baker, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Miss Ann Baker, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Miss Letitia Baker, (b. 1773), aged 25, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13

Baker Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Ann Baker, British Convict who was convicted in Exeter, Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. Thomas Baker, (b. 1778), aged 22, English labourer who was convicted in Southampton, England for 14 years for burglary, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
Mr. John Baker, British Convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Miss Sarah Baker, (b. 1796), aged 16, English servant who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Emu" in October 1812, the ship was captured and the passengers put ashore, the convicts were then transported aboard the "Broxburnebury" in January 1812 arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Slovin Baker, (Stovin), British Convict who was convicted in Lincolnshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Baker Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Baker, who landed in Whangaroa, New Zealand in 1833
Charles Baker, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836 aboard the ship Patriot
Charles Baker, who landed in Kororareka, New Zealand in 1837
John Baker, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1838
Miss Baker, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "David" arriving in New Zealand in 1839 18
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baker migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19

Baker Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Mr. Robert Baker, (b. 1584), aged 50, British settler travelling from London, UK arriving in St Christopher (St. Kitts) on 5th January 1634 8
Mr. Daniell Baker, (b. 1614), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Hopewell" arriving in Barbados on 17th February 1634 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Baker (post 1700) +

Art Baker (1929-2024), American football coach
Tyler Christopher Baker (1972-2023), known professionally as Tyler Christopher, an American actor known for his role in General Hospital
Ronald L. Baker (1937-2023), American folklorist, historian, scholar of literature and onomastics, educator, and author
Warren J. Baker (1938-2022), American academic administrator, President of California Polytechnic State University (1979-2010)
Lynne Rudder Baker (1944-2017), American philosopher and author
Gloria Shayne Baker (1923-2008), born Gloria Adele Shain, an American composer and songwriter best known for composing the Christmas carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in 1962
Robert Gene "Bobby" Baker (1928-2017), American political adviser to Lyndon B. Johnson
Gilbert Baker (1951-2017), American artist and gay rights activist who designed the rainbow flag in 1978
David Nathaniel Baker Jr. (1931-2016), American symphonic jazz composer
Lennie Baker (1946-2016), American singer and saxophone player for the 1950s rock group, Danny and the Juniors
... (Another 46 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Baker family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Thomas Henry Baker (1898-1914), English Assistant Steward from Wavertree, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
Mr. Samuel Charles Baker (1895-1914), English Bell Boy from Wavertree, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking 20

Grover Shoe factory

Mr. Irving G. Baker, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; he died 21
Mrs. Lena Baker, American employee of the Grover Shoe factory in Brockton, Massachusetts on 20th March 1905 when the boiler exploded and collapsed the wooden building; she survived by leaping from a window 21

Halifax Explosion

Ms Emma Baker, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mr. Havelock Baker (1863-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mr. Foster Baker (1883-1917), Canadian resident from West Jeddore, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mr. John Baker (1885-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Miss Mary V. Baker (1914-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
... (Another 6 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Victor Leslie Baker (1923-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Albion, Queensland, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23
Mr. William Alfred Baker (1922-1941), Australian Stoker from Balmain, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 23

HMS Cornwall

Horatio Thomas William Baker (d. 1942), British Stoker 1st Class aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 24

HMS Halsted

Mr. Thomas John Baker, Scottish Royal Navy stoker 1st class was stationed aboard the "HMS Halsted" when it was struck by torpedo by Jaguar and Mowe of the Cherbourg coast on 11th June 1944, he did not survive

HMS Hood

Mr. Kenneth A Baker (b. 1914), English Petty Officer Telegraphist serving for the Royal Navy from Waterlooville, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. George E Baker (b. 1918), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Hastings, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25
Mr. Andrew L Baker (b. 1919), Canadian Ordinary Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from North Harbour, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 25

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Jack J T Baker, British Ordnance Artificer 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 26

HMS Repulse

Mr. William Baker, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27
Mr. Herbert Baker, British Able Bodied Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 27

HMS Royal Oak

William Gemmell Mitchell Baker (1922-1939), born in Falkland, Fife, Scotland, Scottish Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
Rufus Baker, British Leading Cook with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
Arthur William Baker (1913-1939), born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, British Leading Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28
F. Baker, British Able Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 28
Alfred Eric Baker (1916-1939), born in Guildford, Surrey, England, British Petty Officer Stoker with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 28

North Sea Flood

Walter Baker, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

Prince of Wales colliery

Mr. Charles Baker (b. 1848), Welsh coal miner who was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery in Abercarn, Wales on the 11th September 1878 when there was a coal mine explosion; he died 29

RMS Lusitania

Miss Eva Baker, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30
Miss Amelia Millie Anne Baker, American 1st Class Passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 30
Mr. James Baker, English 1st Class Passenger from Liverpool, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 30

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Charles Baker (b. 1899), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Charles Baker (b. 1871), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Samuel Baker (b. 1882), Welsh coal miner from Senghenydd, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

USS Arizona

Mr. John M. Baker, American Sergeant working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 31
Mr. Robert Dewey Baker, American Chief Machinist's Mate from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 31

Victoria steamboat disaster

Annie May Baker, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Emu
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
California Digital Newspaper from 21st March 1905 (retrieved on 5th August 2021.) Retrieved from https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19050321.2.19&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Entombed in flood and flame (retrieved 3rd August 2021). Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20120603025705/http://www.crosskeys.me.uk/history/prince.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html