This very interesting name was originally believed to be locational and associated with Babbacombe in Devon. However, our research suggests that in fact the name is Huguenot and prior to c.1750 was recorded as 'Basnage', one Nicholas Basnage of Rochelle being recorded as an emissary to James 1st in 1622. Later he returned to France but subsequently his son fled to Holland. The family lived in Holland until the early eighteenth century when a member moved to England. Research suggests that this may have been the father of the deceased. In 1792 Benjamin Babbage married Betty Teape, at St. George's, Hanover Square, London The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Edmund Babbige (deceased) which was dated 1754 at St. Mary Alderney, London during the reign of King George 11, known as the Last Warrior King 1727-1760 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.