Show ContentsBayston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Bayston comes from the family having resided at Beeston Castle, in the county of Cheshire. Beeston is also a village near Leeds. Bayston Hill is a large village and civil parish in central Shropshire.

Early Origins of the Bayston family

The surname Bayston was first found in Cheshire, at Beeston, a township, in the parish of Bunbury, union of Nantwich, First division of the hundred of Eddisbury. "This place takes its name from a castle founded by Ranulph de Blundeville, about 1220, and which was made a royal garrison in the war between Henry III. and the confederate barons. Of the ancient mansion of the Beeston family, who long resided here, there are but small remains." 1

"The Shropshire Beestons possess the name of more than one Cheshire parish: they are also represented in Derbyshire and Stafford." 2

Early rolls revealed the family was scattered throughout ancient England in early times. William Bestone was listed in Norfolk in 1153-1166; Andrew de Bieston was entered in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1203; and Ralph de Bestune was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Cheshire. William Besteton and Ralph Biesteton were listed in Hampshire c. 1248.

Yorkshire had more records in various rolls: Herbert de Beston in the Assize Rolls of 1219; and Richard de Bestayn was listed as holding lands there in 1297. 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Radulphus de Beston, Esquier, of Beeston; Willelmiis de Beston; and Johannes de Beeston. 4

John Beston (d. 1428), was a theological writer, Prior of the Carmelite convent at Bishop's Lynn, and a doctor in theology both of Cambridge and Paris. "He was highly esteemed as a theologian and a philosopher, and also as a preacher. " 5

Early History of the Bayston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bayston research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1579, 1606, 1636, 1638, 1682, 1702, 1711 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Bayston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bayston Spelling Variations

Bayston has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Beeston, Beaston, Beeson, Beason, Beestoun, Beson and many more.

Early Notables of the Bayston family

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


United States Bayston migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Baystons to arrive on North American shores:

Bayston Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • J. Bayston, aged 53, who settled in America, in 1896
  • Miss. Bayston, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1896
  • Mrs. Bayston, aged 60, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
  • Miss. Bayston, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
  • Mrs. Bayston, aged 60, who settled in America, in 1896
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Bayston Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • George C. Bayston, aged 52, who landed in America from Longmedford, in 1909
  • Charles Bayston, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States from Leeds, England, in 1911
  • Charles Bayston, aged 40, who settled in America from Leeds, England, in 1911
  • Charles Bayston, aged 42, who landed in America from Hull, England, in 1912
  • Charles Bayston, who immigrated to the United States, in 1912


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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