Show ContentsBiddel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Biddel came from the Old English personal name Bita. Alternatively, the name could have been "derived from an official title, 'the beadle,' one who executed processes or attended proclamations." 1

Early Origins of the Biddel family

The surname Biddel was first found in Somerset, where John le Bedal, was recorded 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III) in Kirby's Quest. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Geoffrey le Bedel in Kent, Martin le Bedel in Norfolk and Walter Bidellus in Lincolnshire. 1

Early History of the Biddel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biddel research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1615, 1652, 1662, 1738, 1745, 1750, 1774, 1775, 1778, 1779, 1786, 1821 and 1844 are included under the topic Early Biddel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biddel Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Biddel has been recorded under many different variations, including Biddle, Biddell, Biddelle and others.

Early Notables of the Biddel family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Henry Biddulph of Biddulph; John Biddle or Bidle (1615-1662), born at Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, an influential English nontrinitarian, and Unitarian, often called "the Father of English Unitarianism"; Nicholas Biddle (1750-1778), one of the first five captains of...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biddel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Biddel family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Biddel or a variant listed above: Thomas Bidle who settled in Barbados in 1654; William Biddle settled in Barbados in 1680; with wife and two children and servants; William Biddle settled in west New Jersey in 1664.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.


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