Show ContentsBarkus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Barkus is a name that was formed by the Anglo-Saxon society of old Britain. The name was thought to have been used for someone who once worked as a worker at the bake-house. The bake-house was where all the people in a village would bake their bread in communal ovens. [1] [2] [3]

Early Origins of the Barkus family

The surname Barkus was first found in London where Walter de Bakhous was registered in 1306. Later Richard del Bakhous was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332, Thomas Bachous, again in London in 1334 and Charles Baccus in Yorkshire in 1544. [3]

In Somerset, we found two early entries: William atte Bakchous; and Nicholas atte Bakhouse. Both were registered 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) [4]

In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included Thomas del Bakhouse and William del Bakeus as holding lands there at that time. [1]

Early History of the Barkus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barkus research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1538, 1554, 1571, 1593, 1598, 1601, 1626, 1662, 1753 and 1894 are included under the topic Early Barkus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barkus Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Barkus include Backhouse, Baccus, Bachus, Bakehouse, Backas, Backhuse and many more.

Early Notables of the Barkus family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barkus Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Barkus family to Ireland

Some of the Barkus family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barkus family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Barkus were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Andrew Backhouse who settled by the Oswegatchie River in 1822; Henry Bachus arrived in Philadelphia in 1774; Joane Bakehouse settled in Virginia in 1654..


Contemporary Notables of the name Barkus (post 1700) +

  • Kathy Barkus, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Montana, 2008 [5]
  • Gregg Barkus, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Montana, 1988, 2008 [5]
  • Lea Barkus (b. 1974), English former footballer who played as forward for Reading and Fulham, he was forced to retire from the professional game at just 22 due to a persistent back injury
  • Harry Barkus Gray (b. 1935), American chemist awarded the Priestley Medal in 1991, The Benjamin Franklin Medal in Chemistry and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2004


The Barkus 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: Confido in Deo
Motto Translation: I trust in God.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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