Biddy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Early Origins of the Biddy family

The surname Biddy was first found in Northumberland where the name was derived from the name of an ancestor as in the son of Beatrice. An "abbreviation of the female name Beatrix." 1 The name appeared here and in Lowland Scotland. "The following variants of this surname are" found on the Border: Baetie, Baitie, Baittie, Batie, Baty, Batye, Baytie, and Bette." 2

Early History of the Biddy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biddy research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1597, 1603, 1735, 1771, 1803 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Biddy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biddy Spelling Variations

The name, Biddy, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Beattie, Beatty, Beaty, Beatie, Betay, Bety and others.

Early Notables of the Biddy family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biddy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Biddy family to Ireland

Some of the Biddy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biddy migration to Canada +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Biddy surname who came to North America were:

Biddy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Biddy, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Madawaska" in 1833

Contemporary Notables of the name Biddy (post 1700) +

Biddy White Lennon (1945-2017), Irish actress and food writer, known as a judge on The Great Irish Bake Off and for her appearance on The Riordans

The Biddy 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: Lumen coeleste sequamur
Motto Translation: May we follow heavenly inspiration.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)