Show ContentsBeeby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Beeby was derived from a place name in Leicestershire called Beeby. The place name is derived from the Old English "beo," meaning "bee," and "byr," or "settlement." That is, it was "the place where they kept bees."

Early Origins of the Beeby family

The surname Beeby was first found in Leicestershire where they had been settled since ancient times before the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Beeby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beeby research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1775, 1840, 1889, 1922, 1963 and 1986 are included under the topic Early Beeby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beeby Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Beeby are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Beeby include: Beeby, Beebee, Beebe, Bebe, Beebey and others.

Early Notables of the Beeby family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beeby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Beeby migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Beeby or a variant listed above:

Beeby Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jo Beeby, aged 17, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Speedwell" 1
  • William Beeby, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 aboard the ship "Tristram and Jane" 1

Australia Beeby migration to Australia +

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

Beeby Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Beeby, English convict who was convicted in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2
  • Mr. Robert Beeby who was convicted in South Holland (Holland), Lincolnshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

New Zealand Beeby 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:

Beeby Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles H. Beeby, aged 21, a labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 4
  • Mary A. Beeby, aged 46, a nurse, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 4
  • Fanny Beeby, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 4
  • Mary Ann Beeby, aged 14, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 4
  • Elizabeth Beeby, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Assaye" in 1874 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Beeby (post 1700) +

  • Thomas H. Beeby (b. 1941), American architect, member of the "Chicago Seven" architects, awarded the Driehaus Prize (2013)
  • Augustus "Gus" Beeby (b. 1889), former English footballer who played from 1909 to 1912
  • Richard Beeby (b. 1962), English football referee
  • Bruce Edward Beeby (1921-2013), Australian actor, probably best known for portraying "Mitch" Mitchell in the 1950s BBC radio serials Journey Into Space
  • George Beeby (1904-1977), British racehorse trainer
  • Clarence Edward "C.E." Beeby ONZ, CMG (1902-1992), New Zealand educator, Professor at the University of New Zealand (1923-1934), Ambassador to France
  • George Stephenson Beeby KBE (1869-1942), Australian politician, judge and author


The Beeby Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Se defendendo
Motto Translation: In his own defence.


  1. 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)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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