Surname Bax - Meaning and Origin
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Bax: What does the surname Bax mean?
The surname Bax is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily associated with England, particularly the region of Lancashire. The name is derived from the Old English words "beaxe", or "baxe", which refer to a pickaxe or mattock. Therefore, the original bearers of the name Bax were likely to have been workers or craftsmen who made or used these agricultural tools. So, this name is taken from an occupation in the similar way as Smith, Taylor, or Miller. The Bax name would have been first given to someone who either used or made these types of tools, as a means of identifying individuals in the small communities of the Middle Ages. There is also a possibility that Bax is a locational surname, originating from a place named Bax in the United Kingdom. As with many surnames, the spelling and pronunciation of Bax have changed over the centuries, leading to a range of variations including Backs, Box, Baxe, and Bex.
Order DNA origin analysisBax: Where does the name Bax come from?
The surname Bax is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is primarily British. It comes from the personal name Bacca, which has two intended meanings. One is relating to 'bake' and could have described someone who was a baker. The other is derived from 'battle,' which suggests the person was a fighter. Over time, Bacca transformed into Bax.
The Bax surname first appeared in various counties across England. In the early 12th century, Simon Bakes was recorded in the Pipe Rolls in London. Gradually, the Bax surname disseminated to Scotland and Wales.
In present times, the surname Bax isn't particularly common. However, individuals carrying the surname can be found more frequently in England, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. While it remains an English-sounding surname, Bax has gained international influence primarily due to immigration and the global spread of the English language.
Variations of the surname Bax
The surname Bax, often found in English and Dutch families, can have several spellings and variations. These variations can be attributed to an assortment of reasons such as the translation between languages, the evolution of language over time, and transcription errors.
Some of the variants and spellings of the surname Bax could include Baxter, Baxster, Baxendale, Baxstar, Backs, Baxt, Bakx, Bacx, and Bex. The surname Baxter is particularly common in Scotland and Northern England, and means 'baker', sharing its etymology with Bax.
Surnames of the same origin could potentially include names that trace back to the occupational term 'baker', such as Baker, Becker, Backer since, in Middle English, Bax was an occupational name for a baker.
In some instances, Bax may also have been adopted as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Bacsaigh, which means ‘descendant of Bacsa’. So, surnames like Bacsa or O'Bacsaigh may also share the same origin.
Remember that the exact spelling and form of surnames can vary widely based on geographic region, cultural influences, and individual family histories.
Famous people with the name Bax
- Arnold Bax: An English composer, poet, and author, who was best known for his orchestral music including symphonies and tone poems.
- Clifford Bax: Known as a versatile English writer and playwright. He was also the brother of Arnold Bax.
- Alfred Bax: A notable British neuropsychologist.
- Martine Bax: A professional Dutch footballer.
- Michael Bax: An English actor who appeared in several films in the 1950s.
- Benjamin Bax: A Belgian footballer currently playing as a midfielder.
- Johannes Bax: A Dutch Olympic wrestler.
- Bart Bax: A Dutch professional road bicycle racer.
- Dirk Bax: A Dutch art historian specializing in 17th-century Dutch art.
- Salvador Bacarisse: A Spanish composer, known for his work "Concertino for Guitar and Orchestra in A minor, Opus 72."
- Irving Bax: A professional English cricketer.
- Eileen Bax: An English actress known for playing in the 1929 film High Treason. Please note that Salvador Bacarisse is not actually a "Bax" but the similarity in name spelling might cause confusion.