This is the story of how a coin located in the British Museum is increasing our understanding of the Babb surname. Working to research the 1667 coin issued by William Babb, I’ve stumbled upon a bevy of several hundred records of Babb records in Hertfordshire, which is considered part of the “Home Counties” (Greater London).

The British Museum lists the following details about the token:

Museum number: 1993,0422.123
Denomination: halfpenny
Authority/Issuer: William Babb
Production Date: 1667
Production Place/Issued: Berkhamsted (formerly Berkhampstead), Hertfordshire
Metal: Alloy
Weight: 0.96 grammes

Inscriptions:
Inscription position: obverse
Inscription content: WILLIAM.BABB.1667

Inscription position: obverse field
Inscription content: B/ W K

Inscription position: reverse
Inscription content: IN.BARKHAMSTED

Inscription position: reverse field
Inscription content: HIS/ HALF/ PENY

URL: token | British Museum

The earliest Babb records thus far date back to 1546, making it one of the earlier datasets. It seems that this lineage was not documented by my English predecessor, Ian Henry Babb, so we are on untrodden ground.

Looking across our record set, I have realized that this area has been completely missed. Which brings questions to mind about how many other counties out there might have been missed. There are 39 historic counties and thus far I’ve only drained 4 of them for records (London, Essex, Devon and Cornwall). So, there is much work left to do.

However unlike in Devon and Cornwall, the Records Office was NOT destroyed by the Nazi Blitz of WW2. Their earliest records date to the 11th Century.

So, I’ve decided to do a full analysis of the Babb records in this county and see where it leads. I’m working to power through the earliest records to get to a point where I can share something of value with you.

Stay tuned! This story is a work in progress!