Show ContentsBayham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Bayham

What does the name Bayham mean?

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Bayham is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Benham (now Benham-Valence) Berkshire, England. 1 2 Alternatively, the name could have originated in Benhams in Horsham, Sussex. 3

However, one source notes the name was originally Welsh "derived from the name of an ancestor. —Ab-Eignon' (Welsh), i.e. 'the son of Eignon' or 'Ennion.' Robert ap Eignon had for his son Robert Baynham, of Chorewall, in the forest of Dean. Henceforward the family were so known. The name looks wonderfully English and local, but, as shown, is not so." 4

Early Origins of the Bayham family

The surname Bayham was first found in Northumberland, England where Euydo de Benham was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. Later John de Benham was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Cadugan ap Eynon was listed in Cheshire in 1285 and later Iorworth ap Egnon was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1287. 3

Baynham Hall is a 17th century manor house located in Michaelchurch-On-Arrow, Gladestry, Powys, Wales. We do know that Hugh Lloyd purchased Baynham Hall in about 1830, but as far as who originally had the manor house built remains a mystery.

John Bankyn or Banekyne (fl. 1382), was an "Augustinian friar and opponent of Wycliffe, born in London and educated in the Augustinian monastery of that city and afterwards at Oxford, where he attained the degree of doctor of divinity. " 5

Hugh Benham or Hugo Benhyem (d. 1282), was Bishop of Aberdeen and succeeded Richard Pottock in the see in 1272. 5

To the north in Scotland, "the lands of Benholm in Angus were anciently held by a family who designated themselves 'de Benham,' from at least the beginning of the thirteenth century till towards the close of the fourteenth. Master Thomas de Bennum was rector of the schools in Aberdeen in 1262, and a relative, Hugh Bennam or Benhaym, became bishop of Aberdeen ten years after. The family of Hugh de Benhame failed in an heiress, Cristiana, who became the wife of Alan de Lundy, a cadet of the old family of that name." 6

Early History of the Bayham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bayham research. Another 212 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1458, 1476, 1497, 1500, 1501, 1514, 1516, 1532, 1536, 1543, 1546, 1557, 1565, 1582, 1593, 1602, 1606, 1611, 1628, 1629, 1664, 1681, 1738 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Bayham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bayham Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bayham has been spelled many different ways, including Baynham, Bayneham, Bainham, Banham, Banam and others.

Early Notables of the Bayham family

Thomas Baynham (d. 1500), Constable of St Briavel's Castle. His descendant, Sir Christopher Baynham (d.1557) was the first of the family to hold Clearwell, a village and former ancient manor in the Forest of Dean, West Gloucestershire. James Bainham (d. 1532), was an English martyr, who according to Foxe, was a son of Sir Alexander Bainham, who was Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1497, 1501, and 1516, though his name does not occur in any of the pedigrees of the family. James was sentenced as a relapsed heretic and burned in Smithfield on 30 April 1532. 5 Sir George Baynham (died 1546), was Sheriff...
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bayham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bayham family to Ireland

Some of the Bayham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bayham family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bayhams to arrive in North America: William Baynham who settled in New England in 1718; Richard Baynham settled in Maryland in 1774; Henry Baynham also settled in New England in 1763.
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

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