Bezanson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Bezanson is a name that was formed by the Anglo-Saxon society of old Britain. The name was thought to have been used for someone who once worked as a coiner or minter. The name is derived from a coin called the byzantius, whose name is derived from the city of Byzantium, where they were minted. The word is derived from the "Middle English besant, besand, the Old French besan, pluralized as besanz, which in turn was derived from the Latin byzantius (nummus), meaning a gold coin." 1

"A bisaunt, bezant, or bizantine was an old coin both in gold and silver, and so called from having been minted at Byzantium. The silver bezant passed current for as. or thereabouts." 2

Early Origins of the Bezanson family

The surname Bezanson was first found in London, England where Leftwin Besant was recorded 1147-1168. He was listed as a "moneyer" in the Pipe Rolls of 1168. Later, Robert Besant was listed in Clerkenwell, London in 1186-1192 and the Pipe Rolls of 1195. 1

Early History of the Bezanson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bezanson research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1168, 1194, 1748, 1752, 1776, 1800, 1828, 1836, 1870, 1879, 1901 and 1917 are included under the topic Early Bezanson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bezanson Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Bezanson include Besant, Besaynt, Bezant, Bessant, Besand, Beasant, Bessent, Beazant, Bayzand, Beszant, Bassant, Bassent and many more.

Early Notables of the Bezanson family

Distinguished members of the family include Robert Besant, Sheriff of London in 1194. 2 Sir Walter Besant (1836-1901), was a distinguished English novelist and historian. He was the son of wine merchant William Besant (1800-1879) and was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bezanson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bezanson Ranking

In the United States, the name Bezanson is the 14,982^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Bezanson migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Bezanson were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Bezanson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joseph Bezanson, aged 25, arrived in New York in 1894 aboard the ship "La Normandie" from Havre, France 4
Maria Bezanson, aged 20, arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Silvia" from Halifax, England 4

Bezanson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Clifford Bezanson, aged 18, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Glooscap" from Windsor, Nova Scotia,Canada 4
Walter Bezanson, aged 24, destined for Malden, Mass., arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Fort Hamilton" from Hamilton, Bermuda 4
Walter Bezanson, aged 26, destined for Malden, Mass., arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Cameronia" from Naples, Italy 4
Walter Bezanson, aged 27, arrived in New York in 1923 aboard the ship "Mexico" from Tampico, Mexico 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Bezanson (post 1700) +

Walter E Bezanson (1894-2011), American author, best known for his studies of Melville's Moby Dick including "Moby-Dick: Work of Art" (1953) and "Moby-Dick: Document, Drama, Dream" (1986)
Philip Thomas Bezanson (1916-1975), American composer and educator from Athol, Massachusetts
A. M. Bezanson (b. 1878), Canadian settler to northern Alberta from Halifax, Nova Scotia; he settled and promoted what would later become known as the hamlet Bezanson, Alberta
Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007), Canadian born artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Keith Bezanson (1985-1988), Canadian diplomat, Canadian Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result