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The distinguished surname Baker comes from the ancient culture of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived from the Old English “baecere,” meaning “baker,” and was first borne as an occupational name. [1] [2] [3]
“Speaking generally, this surname is most numerous in the south of England, and diminishes rapidly in frequency as we proceed northward, until we reach the counties bordering Scotland, where it meets its extinction within sight of the Cheviot Hills. Baker is a name which prefers the coast; and the manner in which it abounds in almost all the coast counties of southern England (excluding Cornwall and Dorset), from Monmouth round to Suffolk, is very remarkable, and not at first sight intelligible. The counties of Monmouth, Somerset, Sussex, and Surrey stand foremost amongst those containing the greatest number of Bakers.” [4]
Early Origins of the Baker family
The surname Baker was first found in Norfolk, where the Pipe Rolls of 1177, list William le Bakere. Later in Lancashire, Robert Bakere was recorded in the Assize Rolls of 1246 and Walter le Backere was listed in Hampshire in 1280. [5]
Thirteenth century England was a very different place that today. Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Walter le Baker, Devon; William le Bakere, Oxfordshire; and Alan le Baker, Sussex. [6]
In Somerset, records from the first year of King Edward III’s reign listed: John le Baker; and Roger le Baker. [7]
Early History of the Baker family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baker research. Another 80 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1620, 1683, 1652, 1655, 1625, 1689, 1658, 1689, 1659, 1611, 1685, 1660, 1660, 1716 and are included under the topic Early Baker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Baker Spelling Variations
The name Baker, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Baker, Bakere, Baiker, Backer and others.
Early Notables of the Baker family (pre 1700)
Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Aaron Eli Baker (1620-1683), an English colonial agent of the Honourable East India Company, President of Madras (1652-1655); Thomas Baker (1625?-1689), an English mathematician, best known for producing a solution of biquadratic equations; Samuel Baker, D.D. (d. 1658), a Church of England clergyman and divine; James Baker (died 1689)… Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Baker World Ranking
In the United States, the name Baker is the 37th most popular surname with an estimated 425,277 people with that name. [8] However, in Canada, the name Baker is ranked the 71st most popular surname with an estimated 32,923 people with that name. [9] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Baker is the 50th popular surname with an estimated 473 people with that name. [10] Australia ranks Baker as 25th with 51,495 people. [11] New Zealand ranks Baker as 43rd with 5,425 people. [12] The United Kingdom ranks Baker as 39th with 92,518 people. [13] South Africa ranks Baker as 974th with 7,004 people. [14]
Migration of the Baker family to Ireland
Some of the Baker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
