Bacon Coat of Arms / Bacon Family Crest

Here is some background to the surname of BACON, which was derived from the Old English word 'Bacun'. It is a metonymic occupational name for a preparer or seller of cured pork, derived from the Middle English, Old Flemish word 'bacun', 'bacon', meaning bacon, ham (of Germanic origin, akin to the name 'Back'). It is also derived from the Germanic name 'bac(c)o', 'bahho', from the root 'bag', which means to fight. The name was relatively common among Norman's in the form 'Bacus', of which the oblique case was 'Bacon'. Compiled information from Historical and Private archive's has confirmed that the surname 'Cecilia Bacum' and or it's variant's, dates as far back as the 13th century were a 'Cecilia Bacun', from Norfolk, England, is recorded on the Hundred Rolls in 1273. The exact period of settlement in North America has not been definitely determined but Information extracted from Public and Civil registry archive's confirm that one of the first settlers was a certain 'Michael Bacon', aged 54, from Winston, Suffolk, England. He emigrated to North America in 1633, where he was one of the signatories of the Dedham agreement, Returning to England he settled finally in Dedham in 1640. His son 'John Bacon', from Dedham, Massachusetts, freeman in 1647, surveyor and commissioner 1662, served in the king Philip's War of 1676. Today, 'Bacon' is the 'Nine hundred and thirty eighth' most common surname in North America. ...

It was a familiar entry in medieval records. Most of the European surnames in countries such as England, Scotland and France were formed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The process had started somewhat earlier and had continued in some places into the 19th century, but the norm is that in the tenth and eleventh centuries people did not have surnames, whereas by the fifteenth century most of the population had acquired a second name. 

Early records of the name mention 

• William Richard Bacun, 1150 County Lincolnshire. 

• Roger Bacon (1214-1294) was an English Franciscan, philosopher and student of experimental science at Paris and Oxford, credited, then, and later with having magical powers.

• Nicholas Bachun was documented in 1226 in County Staffordshire. 

• Thomas Bacon of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. 

• Humphrey Luce and Anne Bacon were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1546. 

• Matthias Bacon of London, registered at Oxford University in the year 1576. 

• Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam and Viscount St. Albans. (1561-1626). Lord Chancellor of England from 1618-1620, philosopher who introduced the inductive method into science and author of 'Essays'. 

At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the flowing and draped garment worn over the armory. 

Over the centuries, most people in Europe have accepted their surname as a fact of life, as irrevocable as an act of God. However much the individual may have liked or disliked the surname, they were stuck with it, and people rarely changed them by personal choice. 

A more common form of variation was in fact involuntary, when an official change was made, in other words, a clerical error. The associated arms are recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.

The Bacon coat of arms refers to the heraldic emblem associated with the Bacon family. 

There are several branches of the Bacon family, but the most well-known is the English Bacon family, which includes the renowned philosopher and statesman Sir Francis Bacon. While the specific details of the Bacon coat of arms may vary depending on the branch, I'll provide a general description of the common elements found in many renditions.

The Bacon coat of arms typically consists of a shield divided into multiple sections or quarters. The shield is usually adorned with various symbols and charges that hold specific meanings. Please note that descriptions of heraldic symbols can vary, so this is a general interpretation:

• The shield: The shield itself serves as the main background for the coat of arms and is divided into sections. The number and arrangement of sections can vary.

• Lions: Lions are often featured in the Bacon coat of arms. They are symbols of courage, strength, and royalty.

• Crosses: Crosses can be present in the coat of arms, often representing faith, Christianity, and noble lineage.

• Crest: The crest sits above the shield and typically consists of specific symbols or figures. In some renditions, the crest may display a boar's head or a boar's body, which is a reference to the name "Bacon" and symbolizes bravery and fierceness.

• Motto: A motto is often included in a coat of arms. Unfortunately, there isn't a widely recognized or established motto specifically associated with the Bacon family.

It's important to note that coat of arms are unique to individuals or branches of a family and may have variations. The specific details of the Bacon coat of arms can differ depending on the specific branch or individual. If you are referring to a particular branch or individual within the Bacon family, it would be best to consult the relevant historical records or heraldic sources for the accurate depiction and meaning of their coat of arms.