Show ContentsBetterton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Betterton comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a coppersmith or a dealer in baterie. The surname Betterton is possibly derived from the Old French word bateor, meaning one who beats, a term which has been applied to a beater of cloth or fuller. The surname may also be a short form of the word orbatour, which means a beater of gold.

Early Origins of the Betterton family

The surname Betterton was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Betterton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Betterton research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1200, 1273, 1349, 1369, 1635, 1710 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Betterton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Betterton Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Betterton has undergone many spelling variations, including Beater, Beeter, Beatere, Betere, Batere, Bettere and many more.

Early Notables of the Betterton family

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

Migration of the Betterton family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Betterton were among those contributors: Charles Bater who arrived in Virgina in 1642. Thomas Bater sailed to America in 1772.


Contemporary Notables of the name Betterton (post 1700) +

  • Thomas Betterton (1635-1710), English actor
  • Henry Betterton (1872-1949), 1st Baron Rushcliffe, British Conservative Party politician


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