Back Family History

English: from Middle English bakke ‘back’ (Old English bæc), hence a nickname for someone with a hunched back or some other noticeable peculiarity of the back or spine, or a topographic name for someone who lived on a hill or ridge, or at the rear of a settlement. English: from the Old English personal name Bacca, which was still in use in the 12th century. It is of uncertain origin, but may have been a byname in the same sense as 1. English: nickname from Middle English bakke ‘bat’ (apparently of Scandinavian origin), from some fancied resemblance to the animal. Altered spelling of Bach 1, 2, or 6. North German: from Middle Low German back ‘kneading trough’, hence a metonymic occupational name for someone who made or used such vessels. Americanized spelling of Norwegian Bakk(e) (see Bakke).

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press