Boakes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Boakes surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived at or near a bank or ridge. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English word Balca which means dweller by the bank or ridge. 1

Early Origins of the Boakes family

The surname Boakes was first found in Oxfordshire, where William Belch was first listed as a Templar in 1185. Later, William le Belch was listed as holding lands in Essex in 1295 and Robert Balch was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1328. 1

Kirby's Quest lists "Robert Balch, Somerset, 1 Edward III" (holding lands there during the first year's reign of Edward III.) 2

Sir Toby Belch is a character in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Early History of the Boakes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boakes research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1185, 1295, 1327, 1332, 1604, 1659, 1669, 1670, 1735 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Boakes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boakes Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Boakes include Balch, Balche, Belch, Belche, Ballch, Bellch, Ballche and many more.

Early Notables of the Boakes family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Boakes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boakes migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Boakes Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Lillian F. Boakes, aged 24, originally from Kent, who arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "New York" from Southampton, England 3
Henry Boakes, aged 35, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Philadelphia" from Southampton, England 3
Alfred Boakes, aged 19, originally from London, England, who arrived in New York in 1913 aboard the ship "Minnewaska" from London, England 3
Frank Boakes, aged 21, originally from Hartfield, England, who arrived in New York in 1913 aboard the ship "Saint Louis" from Southampton, England 3
Frank Boakes, aged 26, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "President Adams" from London, England 3

Boakes 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:

Boakes Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Boakes, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
Ruth Boakes, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
Lilly Boakes, aged 5, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
George Boakes, aged 9, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
Roland Boakes, aged 3, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Waitangi" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Boakes (post 1700) +

Jonathan Boakes (b. 1973), English game designer, CEO and founder of Darkling Room

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result