10,800 Global BATCHELOR Family Members

BATCHELOR Family History

This notable and long-established surname is English and Scottish, but ultimately of pre 9th century Old French origins. As such it had nothing to do with not being married, but was a status name for a young knight or novice at arms, the derivation being from the word Roman-Latin "baccalarius". The word was introduced into England by the Norman-French after the Conquest of 1066, and by the 14th century the meaning had been extended to "unmarried man". However if that is the origination of the surname, it would suggest that it was a robust or Chaucerian nickname given to a mmried man, but one who behaved otherwise! Early examples of the surname recordings include: Stephen le Bachilier of Suffolk in the year 1203; Walter le Bachelor of Surrey in 1248; and Magg Bacheler, in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire for 1273...