| ![Show Contents]() Beetham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland The ancestors of the Beetham family may have been Viking settlers. Their surname comes from a place name of Norse origins, from when they lived in Beetham in Cumbria. This place name is thought to come from the Old Norse "beth," meaning "embankment." 1 The parish was recorded as Biedum in the Domesday Book and at that time in Yorkshire and was land held by Roger de Poitou. 2 More recently, the parish had a population of 1,724 in the 2001 census. Interestingly, "in digging a grave near one of the pillars in the nave of the Church [of Beetham], in Aug. 1834, upwards of 100 silver coins, chiefly of the reigns of William the Conqueror and his son William Rufus, with a few of Edward the Confessor and Canute the Dane, were discovered." 3 Early Origins of the Beetham familyThe surname Beetham was first found in Cumbria at Beetham, a parish, in the union and ward of Kendal, historically in Westmorland. 3 However, some of family were well established further south at Warton in Lancashire at early times. "Warton appears to have belonged to the lord of WoodPlumpton, by intermarriage with whose heiress the Betham family became connected with the property. The last of the Bethams was Roger, whose daughter married Sir Robert Middleton, of Leighton, in the reign of Richard III." 3 Placita de Quo Warranto listed Richard de Betham, Norfolk, 20 Edward I (in the 20th year of King Edward I's reign.) 4 Ralph de Betham, was a benefactor to Furness Abbey during the reign of Henry II. 5 Ralph de Bethum was listed in the Assize Rolls of Northumberland in 1279; Robert de Bethum, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379; and Stephen Betham, was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1541. 6 Early History of the Beetham familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beetham research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1599, 1632, 1642, 1659, 1665, 1684 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Beetham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Beetham Spelling VariationsStandards against which to judge the accuracy of spellings and translations did not yet exist in the Middle Ages. Spelling variations in names dating from that era, are thus, an extremely common occurrence. Beetham has been recorded as Betham, Beetam, Beetham, Beatam, Beatham, Beetem, Beedham and many more. Early Notables of the Beetham familyAnother 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beetham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Beetham migration to the United States | + |
The New World was far from the oppressive regime of the old country. It was a place where there was more land than people and political and religious freedom were far easier to come by. Many Scots even got the chance to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. In recent years, interest in this heritage has been generated by Clan societies and regular highland games in North America. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Beetham name:
Beetham Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Richard Beetham who settled in Virginia in 1720
Beetham Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Sarah J. Beetham, aged 44, who immigrated to the United States from York, in 1892
- Lydia Beetham, aged 19, who landed in America, in 1894
Beetham Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Lydia Beetham, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Liverpool, in 1903
- Mary Beetham, aged 9, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1903
- Howard Beetham, aged 11, who immigrated to the United States from Liverpool, in 1903
- Irene Beetham, aged 5, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1903
- William Beetham, aged 15, who immigrated to the United States from Liverpool, in 1903
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Beetham (post 1700) | + |
- Rupert R. Beetham, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Ohio, 1928 7
- Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael James Beetham GCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, DL (1923-2015), English Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Chief of the Air Staff during the Falklands War
- George Beetham F.R.G.S., M.H.R. (1840-1915), New Zealand explorer, best known for his assent of Mount Ruapehu in March, 1878
- Bruce Beetham (1936-1997), New Zealand academic and politician
- Sir Edward Beetham (1905-1979), one time Governor of Trinidad and Tobago
- Sir Edward Beetham Betham (1905-1979), Governor of Trinidad and Tobago (1955-1960)
- Wyatt Beetham Creech CNZM (b. 1946), former New Zealand politician and Deputy Prime Minister from August 1998 to December 1999
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: Per ardua surgam
Motto Translation: I rise through difficulty.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 29) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Beetham migration to the United States 
