Buck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Germany
Scotland

Etymology of Buck

What does the name Buck mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England produced the name of Buck. It was given to a person who shared a fanciful resemblance with a goat or a male deer. The name is derived from either the Old English word buc, meaning he goat, or male deer. This name would originally have been applied to someone one thought resembled a he-goat or male deer. 1

Interestingly, there may a Norman connection as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Radulphus de Bucca as living in Normandy in 1180. 2

Early Origins of the Buck family

The surname Buck was first found in Norfolk, where the name has been "represented in the county as far back as the 13th century. The name of Buck is now most numerous around Norwich." 3

However, by the late 13th century, the name was scattered throughout ancient Britain. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Robert Bok, Huntingdonshire; Richard Boke, Oxfordshire; Robert de le Buk, Essex; and Thomas Buk, Cambridgeshire as all holding lands at that time. 4

Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Robertus Buk, proving that the Latin version of naming was still in use at that time. 4

By the 15th century, some of the family were found further north in Scotland. There John Buc, was a charter witness in Glasgow, 1495. A few years later, Thomas Buk from Dunfermline had a remission in 1508. Alexander Buk was admitted Burgess of Aberdeen, 1506, and Duncan Buk held that position in 1560. 5

Early History of the Buck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Buck research. Another 224 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1313, 1400, 1540, 1560, 1591, 1622, 1658, 1696, 1753 and 1779 are included under the topic Early Buck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Buck Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Buck has appeared include Buck, Bucke, Buch, Buke and others.

Early Notables of the Buck family

Notables of the family at this time include

Sir John Buck, Sheriff of Lincolnshire
Sir George Buck (1560-1622), was an antiquarian who served as Master of the Revels to King James I of England. "He was descended from a good family which had formerly held large estates in Yorkshire a...
Samuel (1696-1779) and Nathaniel Buck, were brothers who were noted engravers and printmakers. Samuel drew and engraved 428 views of the ruins of all the noted abbeys, castles, &c., together with four...

Buck Ranking

In the United States, the name Buck is the 755^th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 6 However, in the United Kingdom, the name Buck is ranked the 822^nd most popular surname with an estimated 8,261 people with that name. 7

Buck migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Buck arrived in North America very early:

Buck Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christian Buck, aged 26, who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 8
Peter Buck, who landed in Virginia in 1635 8
Tho Buck, aged 17, who landed in Virginia in 1635 8
Wilton Buck, aged 50, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 8
Robert Buck, aged 18, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Increase" 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Buck, who landed in Virginia in 1705 8
Martin Buck, who arrived in New York NY in 1710-1714 8
William Buck, who landed in Virginia in 1723 8
Hans Jail Buck, aged 40, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 8
Leonard Buck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1743 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Carle Buck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 8
Mr. Buck, who arrived in Mobile Ala in 1822 8
Johannes Buck, who landed in Brazil in 1825 8
Joh Jos Henr Buck, who arrived in America in 1830 8
Andreas Buck, aged 32, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alfred Buck, who landed in Chile in 1912 8

Buck migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Buck Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Buck, who settled in Plancentia, Newfoundland in 1730 9
Mr. Jonathan Buck U.E. who settled in Home District, [Niagara], Lincoln County, Ontario c. 1783 10
Mr. Mihitable Buck U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 10
Mr. Nichitable Buck U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1783 10
Private Philip Buck U.E. (b. 1742) born in Upper Rône Valley, Germany from Bowman Creek & Susquehanna River, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, USA who settled in Bertie Township [Welland County], Ontario on lots 6 and 7 Con. 8 and 9, in the First 400 acres, then Lots 35 in the 9th and 36 in the 10th Concessions in the Township of Beverly; Home District; Province of Upper Canada c. 1783 he enlisted in 1777 served as part of the Butler's Rangers Regiment married to Anna Marguerite Saultman they had 13 children, he died in 1813 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Nicholas Buck settled at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1821
Thomas Buck, aged 14, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
Mary Buck, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland
John Buck, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland
John Buck, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Buck Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Abel Buck, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on May 29, 1828, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. John Buck, English convict who was convicted in Norfolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 12
William Buck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 13
Maria Buck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 13
Susan Buck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Cleveland" in 1839 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck 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:

Buck Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Henry Buck, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bernian
George Green Buck, aged 23, a smith, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Mary Ann Buck, aged 24, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Alexandrina Buck, aged 9 months, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
Henry Gregory Buck, aged 33, a miner, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Birman" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Buck migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 14

Buck Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Isaac and Richard Buck who arrived in Barbados in 1635
Isack Buck, aged 33, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 8
Mr. Francis Buck, (b. 1615), aged 20, British settler travelling from Gravesend, England aboard the ship "Falcon" arriving in Barbados in 1636 15
Mr. Richard Buck, (b. 1611), aged 24, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 16
Obadiah Buck, aged 27, who arrived in Barbados in 1684 8

Contemporary Notables of the name Buck (post 1700) +

Frank Forrest Buck (1943-2024), American politician who was a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1973 to 2009
Christopher James "Chris" Buck (b. 1958), American Academy Award, Annie Award and BAFTA Award winning film director, animator, and screenwriter known for co-directing Tarzan (1999), Surf's Up (2007), Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019)
Tara L. Buck (b. 1975), American actress, best known for her role as Ginger in the television series True Blood
Peter Buck (1930-2021), American physicist, restaurateur, and philanthropist, co-founder of the Subway fast-food restaurant chain
Robert Creighton Buck (1920-1998), American mathematician who co-introduced Boasâ€“Buck polynomials
Julie Anne Buck (b. 1974), American collage artist, photographer, filmmaker, and film archivist
Johnathan Richard Buck (b. 1980), American Major League Baseball catcher
John Buck (b. 1946), American sculptor and printmaker
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck (b. 1969), American sportscaster, son of sportscaster Jack Buck, recipient of numerous Sports Emmy Awards
John Francis "Jack" Buck (1924-2002), American sportscaster
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Buck family +

Bismarck

Helmut Buck (1916-1941), German Funkmaat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 17

Empress of Ireland

Mrs. Mary Jane Buck (1872-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 18

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Clifton Charles Buck (1921-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 19

HMS Hood

Mr. Herbert T J Buck (b. 1897), English Stoker Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20
Mr. Arthur E J Buck (b. 1909), English Mechanician 2nd Class serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. James Buck, British Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 21

The Buck 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: Fide et fortitudine
Motto Translation: By fidelity and fortitude.

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 24) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1828 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1828
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) CLEVELAND 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Cleveland.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 28th September 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html