Show ContentsBeelby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Beelby family

The surname Beelby was first found in Yorkshire at Bielby or in Lincolnshire at Beelby. Belebi was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 1 and literally meant "farmstead or village of a man called Beli," from the Viking personal name + "by." 2

Lincolnshire was the first record of the family; that of Walter de Beleby who was recorded in the Assize Rolls of 1202. Later, John de Beleby was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1372 and much later, Sicillia Beilby was registered as a Freeman of York in 1464. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had entries for Robertus de Bilby; and Willelmus de Bilby who held lands there at that time. 4

Early History of the Beelby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beelby research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1544, 1600, 1635 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Beelby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beelby Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Beelby have been found, including Beilby, Beelby, Beilbie, Bealbie, Beelbie, Beelbe, Belby and many more.

Early Notables of the Beelby family

More information is included under the topic Early Beelby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Beelby 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:

Beelby Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Richard C. Beelby (Bealby), British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Randolph" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand in September 1850 5


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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