Beadwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Beadwell has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the name of a medieval court official called a beadle. A beadle performed similar duties to those of a bailiff in a modern court of law, as well as acting as a sort of town crier, and later as a constable of the parish. 1

Early records of the name mention Brictamarus Bedel of the County of Suffolk who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2

Early Origins of the Beadwell family

The surname Beadwell was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire, at Bedale, a market-town, parish, and the head of a union, chiefly in the wapentake of Hang-East, but partly in that of Hallikeld. "The houses are in general of brick, and irregularly built; the air is pure, and the neighbourhood, which is well cultivated, affords many pleasant walks and much picturesque scenery. " 3

As an occupational name, the name can be found in a wide variety of spellings over much of ancient Britain. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Geoffrey le Bedel, Kent; Martin le Bedel, Norfolk; and Walter Bidellus, Lincolnshire. 4 The "le" meaning "the" denoted the occupational nature of the name and that last entry found there was in the Latin form.

Kirby's Quest noted John le Bedal, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 5

Historically it was "a well-known office. In [the] Domesday Book, we have, among the greater tenants. Godwin Bedellus, and "Beaellus quidam Regis," a certain beadle, apparitor, or messenger of the King. " 1

In Scotland, the variant Beedles was principally found. "An old Scots surname, perhaps the possessive of 'Beadle,' from the office. One of this name may have given origin to Biedlieston in parish of Dyce, Aberdeenshire." 6

Early History of the Beadwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beadwell research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1327, 1578, 1613, 1632, 1650 and 1667 are included under the topic Early Beadwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beadwell Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Beadwell include Beadell, Beadle, Beadles, Beedle, Beedell, Bedle and others.

Early Notables of the Beadwell family

Distinguished members of the family include John Beadle (died 1667), an English clergyman and diarist. He was the author of the 'Journal or Diary of a Thankful Christian.' He matriculated at the University of Cambridge on 8 July 1613 and was...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beadwell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beadwell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Beadwell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

F. Beadwell, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "William Watson" in 1849 7

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)
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.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The barque WILLIAM WATSON 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849WilliamWatson.htm