Beatle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Beatle surname is thought to have been an occupational name from someone who built or used "a beetle, an instrument for driving in wedges, ramming down paving-stones." 1

Alternatively, another source claims the name was a local surname for "one who came from Beetley (wood where wooden mallets were obtained), in Norfolk." 2 Beetley is a parish, in the union of Mitford and Launditch, hundred of Launditch in Norfolk near East Dereham. 3 This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Betellea. 4 Literally the place name means "clearing where beet is grown," from the Old English words "bete" + "leah." 5

And yet another source claims the name is "a corruption of Bedel or Beadle-the office." 6 Interestingly, none of the sources claim any relationship with the insect!

Early Origins of the Beatle family

The surname Beatle was first found in Berkshire where the Assize Rolls of 1248 list Gilbert Betyl. A few years later, John Betel was listed in the Assize Rolls of Kent in 1317. 1

Early History of the Beatle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beatle research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1502, 1544, 1561, 1571, 1589, 1595, 1627, 1632, 1641 and 1642 are included under the topic Early Beatle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beatle Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Beatle include Beatell, Beatle, Beetell, Betell and others.

Early Notables of the Beatle family

Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beatle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beatle family to Ireland

Some of the Beatle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 161 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beatle family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Beatle or a variant listed above: John Bedwell, who came to Somers Islands in 1662; Elizabeth Bedwell, who arrived in Virginia in 1664; Hugh Bidwell, who arrived in South Carolina sometime between 1670 and 1679.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.