Show ContentsBaverstock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Baverstock

What does the name Baverstock mean?

Baverstock is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Baverstock family lived in Wiltshire where they held a family seat from the 11th century. The family takes its name from a place called Baverstock in this area.

Early Origins of the Baverstock family

The surname Baverstock was first found in Wiltshire at Baverstock, a small village and former civil parish. Conjecturally they were Lords of the manor of Baverstock, originally Babestoche, which was held at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book Survey in 1086, by the Abbess of Wilton.

Early History of the Baverstock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baverstock research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baverstock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baverstock Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Baverstocke, Baverstock, Baverstoke, Bayverstock, Beaverstock, Beaverstocke and many more.

Early Notables of the Baverstock family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • James Baverstock of Baverstock


Baverstock migration to the United States +

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Baverstock or a variant listed above:

Baverstock Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • the family of Baverstock who landed in New England in 1720
Baverstock Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • E. Baverstock, aged 10, originally from London, arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Britannic" from Liverpool, England 1
  • Harry Baverstock, aged 42, arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "New York" from Southampton, England 1
Baverstock Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Fred Baverstock, aged 39, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Southampton, England 1
  • Constance Baverstock, aged 43, originally from London, England, arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Lapland" from Southampton, England 1
  • Alban Henry Baverstock, aged 51, originally from Winborne, England, arrived in New York in 1923 aboard the ship "Aquitania" from Southampton, England 1
  • Elizabeth Baverstock, aged 63, originally from Hempton, England, arrived in New York in 1924 aboard the ship "Aurania (1924)" from Liverpool, England 1
  • Edward Baverstock, aged 71, originally from Hempton, England, arrived in New York in 1924 aboard the ship "Aurania (1924)" from Liverpool, England 1

Baverstock migration to Australia +

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

Baverstock Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Timothy Baverstock, (b. 1802), aged 30, English convict who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Camden" on 21st September 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1838 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Baverstock (post 1700) +

  • Ray Baverstock (b. 1963), English former professional football midfielder
  • Gillian Mary Baverstock (1931-2007), née Pollock, a British author and eldest daughter of English novelist Enid Blyton and her first husband, Hugh Pollock
  • Herbert Baverstock (1883-1951), English footballer who played for the Bolton Wanderers (1905-1921) and then Blackpool (1921-1922); in all he made over 350 appearances
  • Donald Leighton Baverstock, English television executive and producer, Controller of BBC One (1963-1965)
  • Garry Frederick Baverstock OA (b. 1949), Australian Perth-based architect, property developer, author and scientist, founder of Ecotect Architects in 1969, Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects
  • Dr. Keith Baverstock, professor in the department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kuopio, Finland
  • John Baverstock Knight (1785-1859), English painter from Langton, near Blandford, Dorset

HMAS Sydney II
  • Mr. Ernest George Baverstock (1918-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 3


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/camden
  3. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


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