Beckay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Beckay

What does the name Beckay mean?

The annals of Scottish history reveal that Beckay was first used as a name by ancestors of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Beckay family lived in the county of Angus at the old manor of Baike.

Early Origins of the Beckay family

The surname Beckay was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times as Lords of the manor of Baikie. However, by the 14th century this family appears to have moved north to the Orkneys where they became a prominent family.

Early History of the Beckay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beckay research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1697 and 1952 are included under the topic Early Beckay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beckay Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Beckay has been spelled Backie, Baikie, Bakey, Baikey, Baky, Baickie and others.

Early Notables of the Beckay family

More information is included under the topic Early Beckay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beckay family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Beckay: Lennard Baickie who landed in America in 1712.

The Beckay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Commodum non damnum
Motto Translation: A convenience not an injury.