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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Beck is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Beck family lived in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The name, however, derives from the Old Norse word bekkr, meaning stream. The term beck which refers to a running stream is quite common in the north of England. 1 The names of several towns in northern France were based on variants of this word.

Early Origins of the Beck family

The surname Beck was first found in Berkshire and Dorset. The Domesday Book of 1086 as two listings for the family: Walter Bec in Berkshire and Geoffrey de Bech in Dorset. 2 "The DB under-tenants probably came from Bec-Hellouin (Eure). Others may have come from one of the numerous places in France named Bec." 3

"The palace [of Bishop Auckland, Durham], originally erected in the reign of Edward I. by Bishop Anthony Beck, and subsequently enlarged, was much injured by Sir Arthur Haslerigg, to whom it was sold by the Parliamentary Commissioners. The chapel attached to the palace is a fine edifice in the early and decorated styles, built originally by Bishop Beck, and repaired about 1660 by Bishop Cosin." 4

Robert de Besso was found in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1199 and later, Adam del Bec in the Curia Regis Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1207. In Essex, records there show Henry Delebec and Ralph de Bek (his son) in 1263, and in Yorkshire, Robert Atebek was found in the Subsidy Rolls of 1297. 3

"Bek is the name of a family in Lincolnshire, from which sprang several men of eminence in the thirteenth century. The Beks were descended from one Walter Bek, called in the 'Great Survey' Walter Flandrensis, who came over with William the Conqueror, and received from him the lordship of Firesby in Lincolnshire, 'et multa alia maneria.' From his three sons, I. Henry, II. Walter, and III. John, sprung three great Lincolnshire families: I. Bek of Eresby, II. Bek of Luceby, III. Bek of Botheby." 5

Antony Bek (d. 1310), was Bishop of Durham and the son of Walter, Baron of Eresby, in Lincolnshire. Thomas Bek I (d. 1293), was Bishop of St. David's, and the second son of Walter Bek, Baron of Eresby.

Antony Bek II (1279-1343), was Bishop of Norwich, born on 5 Aug. 1279, and was the second of the three sons of Walter Bek of Luceby, Constable of Lincoln Castle. Thomas Bek II (1282-1347), was Bishop of Lincoln, born on 22 Feb. 1282 and was the youngest of the three sons of Walter Bek of Luceby, Constable of Lincoln Castle. 5

Early History of the Beck family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beck research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1282, 1293, 1330, 1341, 1343, 1347, 1550, 1551, 1623, 1656, 1657, 1706, 1890 and 1929 are included under the topic Early Beck History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beck Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Beck, Becke, Bech, Beche and others.

Early Notables of the Beck family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Thomas Bek (1282-1347), Bishop of Lincoln from 1341 until his death; Antony Bek (1279-1343), Bishop of Norwich as well as being elected Bishop of Lincoln; Thomas Bek (died 1293), Bishop of St David's...
  • Cave Beck (1623-1706?), was an English writer on pasigraphy, born in London in 1623, son of John Beck, baker, of the parish of St. John, Clerkenwell and David Beck (d. 1656), was an English portrait p...
  • Edmund Becke (fl. 1550), was and English theological writer and an ordained deacon by Bishop Ridley in 1551. 5

Beck World Ranking

In the United States, the name Beck is the 299th most popular surname with an estimated 92,019 people with that name. 6 However, in Canada, the name Beck is ranked the 709th most popular surname with an estimated 7,502 people with that name. 7 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Beck is the 507th popular surname with an estimated 92 people with that name. 8 France ranks Beck as 566th with 8,269 people. 9 Australia ranks Beck as 613rd with 6,382 people. 10 New Zealand ranks Beck as 645th with 1,115 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Beck as 641st with 10,222 people. 12

Ireland Migration of the Beck family to Ireland

Some of the Beck family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Beck migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Beck or a variant listed above:

Beck Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Alexander Beck, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634 13
  • Henry Beck, who arrived in Maine in 1635 aboard the ship "Angel Gabriel" 13
  • Mr. Henry Beck, aged 18, who arrived aboard the ship "Blessing" in 1635 14
  • Richard Beck, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 13
  • James Beck, who landed in Virginia in 1651 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Beck Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Sarah Beck, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 13
  • Simon Beck, who landed in New York in 1709 13
  • Thobias Beck, who landed in New York in 1709 13
  • Andreas Frid Beck, who arrived in New York in 1709 13
  • Adreas Friderich Beck, who landed in New York, NY in 1710 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Beck Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Johan Andreas Beck, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1803 13
  • Margaret Beck, aged 24, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1804 13
  • Josuas Beck, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1805 13
  • John G Beck, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 13
  • Jacob F Beck, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1806 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Beck migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Beck Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Magdelena Beck, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Maria Beck, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Michel Beck, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1757
  • Mr. John Beck U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 15
Beck Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Henry Beck of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, who captured a French banker, in 1814 16
  • Thomas Beck was residing in St. John's Newfoundland in 1821 16
  • James Beck, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Robert Burns" in 1834
  • Miss. Margaret Beck, aged who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "New Zealand" departing 20th May 1847 from Newry, Ireland; the ship arrived on 3rd July 1847 but she died on board 17

Australia Beck migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Beck Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Beck, (b. 1791), aged 24, English printer who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he returned from transport and was resent out on the "John Barry" in 1819 18
  • Mr. Robert Beck, British Convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 19
  • Mr. Thomas Beck, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 20
  • Louisa Beck, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on December 14, 1835, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 21
  • Daniel Beck, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Buckinghamshire" in 1839 22
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Beck migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Beck Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Benjamin Beck, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 23
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Beck, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 23
  • Mr. Henry Beck, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 23
  • Mr. John Beck, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 23
  • Mrs. Mary Beck, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in New Zealand in 1836 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Beck Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • Geoffrey Beck, aged 27, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Contemporary Notables of the name Beck (post 1700) +

  • Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck (1944-2023), English rock guitarist ranked 14th in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"
  • Carson William "Bill" Beck (1962-2023), American politician, Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives (2015-2023)
  • Aaron T. Beck (1921-2021), American psychiatrist who identified Cognitive therapy, Beck Depression Inventory, co-founder of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Stuart Jay Beck (1946-2016), American lawyer and a diplomat, Palauan Ambassador to Oceans and Seas (2013-2016)
  • Robert Nason Beck (1928-2008), American scientist and a pioneer in the field of nuclear medicine
  • Claude Schaeffer Beck (1894-1971), American cardiac surgeon who invented the defibrillator
  • Kimberly Beck (b. 1956), American actress, with over sixty television and film roles to her credit
  • Dave Beck (1894-1993), American labor leader, president of the Teamsters (1952-1957)
  • Helen Harriet Beck (1904-1979), birth name of Sally Rand, the burlesque dancer and actress, most noted for her ostrich feather fan dance and balloon bubble dance
  • Thomas Alcock Beck (1795-1846), English author of 'Annales Furnesienses,' born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne 31 May 1795, the son of James Beck, gentleman 24
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bismarck
  • Johann Beck (1912-1941), German M.A.Maat who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 25
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. Hiram  Beck (1892-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 26
Senghenydd colliery
  • Mr. William Edward Beck (b. 1870), Welsh coal miner from Nelson, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
USS Arizona
  • Mr. George Richard Beck, American Seaman First Class from California, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 27

Suggested Readings for the name Beck +

  • The Anton and Rosina Koenig Beck Family and Their Descendants 1844-1979 by Lillie Beck Wasserman.
  • The Beck-Reinemer Family Tree by Mrs. Clarence Beck.
  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  7. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  8. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  9. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  14. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  15. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  16. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  17. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 65)
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  19. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
  20. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  21. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1835 with 132 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1835
  22. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Buckinghamshire.htm
  23. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  24. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 14 June. 2019
  25. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details
  26. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  27. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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