Show ContentsBaxter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Baxter Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Baxter

What does the name Baxter mean?

The name is derived from the Old English "boecestre" which was a feminine form of the word "baker." 1 2 3 4

Early Origins of the Baxter family

The surname Baxter was first found in Devon where a Liueger se Bacestere was listed as an Old English Byname in 1093. Other early records include a Hannah Bakestre in the Chester Assize Rolls of 1260, and a William le Baxtere in the Suffolk Feet of Fines for 1333. 5

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two entries for the family with early spellings: Giliana le Bacster, Huntingdonshire; and John le Bakestere, Norfolk. Other early rolls proved the widespread use of the family's name: Writs of Parliament - Elias le Baxtere, 1302; Calendarium Inquisitionum Post Mortem - Bartholomew le Bakestere; Calendarium Rotulorum Originalium - Andrew le Bakester. The latter two entries showed the 'occupational' use of the name as in Bartholomew le Bakestere (Bartholomew the Baker.)

Later in Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included Agnes Bakester and Cecilia Bakester, vidua. 6

Early History of the Baxter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baxter research. Another 43 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1650, 1691, 1723, 1732, 1781, 1782, 1784, 1810, 1813, 1821, 1827, 1854, 1858, 1871, 1875, 1877 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Baxter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baxter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Baxter have been found, including Baxter, Bakster, Baxster, Baxstair, Baxstare and others.

Early Notables of the Baxter family

  • Richard Baxter (1615-1691) English author and Puritan, the son of Richard Baxter, of Eaton-Constantine, near Shrewsbury, in Shropshire. His brother William Baxter (1650-1723), was a scholar, born in 1...
  • Thomas Baxter (1782-1821), the English China painter, of whom an account is given in 'A Century of Potting in the City of Worcester,' by R. W. Binns, 1877, was born in Worcester on 18 Feb. 1782. His f...
  • Robert Dudley Baxter (1827-1875), political writer, son of Robert Baxter, of the firm of Baxter & Co., parliamentary lawyers, Westminster, was born at Doncaster in 1827, and was privately educated unt...
  • ; as well as John Baxter (1781-1858) English printer, the first to use an ink-roller, and publisher of "Baxter's Bible," as well as the first book of cricket rules
  • William Baxter (d. 1871), The English botanist, was appointed curator of the Oxford botanic garden in 1813, and retained the post until about 1854, when he was succeeded by his son, W. H. Baxter. (NBi...

Baxter World Ranking

the United States, the name Baxter is the 566th most popular surname with an estimated 52,227 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Baxter is ranked the 605th most popular surname with an estimated 8,372 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Baxter is the 267th popular surname with an estimated 12,777 people with that name. 9 New Zealand ranks Baxter as 302nd with 2,025 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Baxter as 220th with 26,176 people. 11

Migration of the Baxter family to Ireland

Some of the Baxter family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baxter migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Baxter, or a variant listed above:

Baxter Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Gregory Baxter from Norfolk, who sailed from Isle of Wight arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship "Ambrose" as part of the Winthrop Fleet he went on to Roxbury. 13
  • Mr. John Baxter, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 13
  • Robert Baxter, aged 21, British settler who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Alice" 13
  • William Baxter, who landed in Virginia in 1636 13
  • Jane Baxter, who landed in Virginia in 1636 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baxter Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Baxter, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 13
  • Henry Baxter, a bonded passenger who arrived in Maryland in 1744
  • Barnaby Baxter, who settled in Maryland in 1774
Baxter Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Daniel Baxter, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1802 13
  • John, Baxter Jr., who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 13
  • Robert Baxter, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 13
  • George Baxter, who arrived in America in 1811 13
  • C Baxter, aged 26, who landed in Maryland in 1813 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Baxter migration to Canada +

Baxter Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Baxter, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mr. Elijah Baxter U.E. who settled in Norton, Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1783 he died in 1852 14
  • Mr. George Baxter U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 14
  • Mr. Joseph Baxter U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 14
  • Capt. Simon Baxter U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Baxter Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Kennedy Baxter, who arrived in Canada in 1820
  • William Baxter, aged 28, who landed in Quebec in 1833
  • Mary Baxter, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Protector" in 1834
  • William Baxter, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • J Baxter, who arrived in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

Baxter migration to Australia +

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

First Fleet
  • Miss Susannah Baxter, (1766 - 1792), aged 22, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
Following the First Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Baxter Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Baxter 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:

Baxter Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Baxter, Australian settler travelling from Sydney aboard the ship "Earl Durham" arriving in Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand in 1841 18
  • Mr. William Baxter, British settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 19
  • Mr. Jas. Baxter, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 18
  • Mr. R. Baxter, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Palmyra" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 19th February 1858 19
  • Mr. William Baxter, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 3rd November 1859 18
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Baxter (post 1700) +

  • Irvin Lee Baxter Jr. (1945-2020), American Oneness Pentecostal minister, televangelist, author, and biblical scholar
  • William "Bucky" Baxter (1955-2020), American guitarist, known for having played in Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour during the 1990s
  • Irving Baxter (1876-1957), American two time gold and three time silver Olympic medalist for long, high and triple jump as well as pole vault
  • Meredith Baxter (b. 1947), American television actress
  • Warner Baxter (1889-1951), American actor
  • William Giles Baxter (1856-1888), English (American-born) cartoonist
  • Anne Baxter (1923-1985), American actor nominated for an Academy Award for her role in All About Eve
  • James Phinney Baxter III (1893-1975), American educator and Pulitzer Prize winning historian, president of Williams College (1937-1961)
  • Joan Maureen "Biddy" Baxter MBE (1933-2025), English television producer, best known for editing the long-running BBC TV children's magazine show Blue Peter (1965-1988), editor of the programme, devised much of the format that is still used today
  • ... (Another 17 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Cataraqui
  • James Baxter (b. 1821), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Sarah Baxter (b. 1822), British passenger who died aboard the ship "Cataraqui" when sailing for Melbourne, Australia she struck rocks of Kings Island and sank on 4th April 1845
  • Mr. George R. Baxter (d. 1914), British Musician from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 20
  • Miss Annie May Baxter (1901-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 21
  • Ms. Jennie M. Baxter (1872-1917), Canadian resident from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
  • ... (Another 14 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Suggested Readings for the name Baxter +

  • Ancestors and Descendants of Jonathan Burris and Mary Jemima Boardman, with Allied Families (including the Baxter Family).
  • Baxter-Short, Miller-Gill and Related Families by Mary Cynthia Baxter Harrell.
  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Sims, Clifford Stanley The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. 1862. Print.
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  10. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  11. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. 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)
  14. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  21. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  22. 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

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