Show ContentsBeagley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Beagley comes 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 Beagley family

The surname Beagley 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 Beagley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beagley 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 Beagley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beagley Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Beagley were recorded, including Beadell, Beadle, Beadles, Beedle, Beedell, Bedle and others.

Early Notables of the Beagley 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 Beagley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Beagley migration to Australia +

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

Beagley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Joab Beagley, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Indian" in 1849 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Beagley (post 1700) +

  • Samantha Beagley, American actress, known for The Look of Love (2013) and Scenes of an Adult Nature (2011)
  • Timothy Beagley, American actor, known for A Million Miles Away (2016), I (Almost) Got Away with It (2010) and National Geographic Explorer (1985)
  • Nina Beagley, American child actress, known for Summerland (2020), 3 for A Girl 4 for A Boy (2021) and I Heard It Too (2014)
  • Travis Beagley, American actor and producer, known for Monochrome Paradise (2019), Lottery Road (2018) and The Orphan Girl (2014)
  • Aiden Beagley, American child actor, known for Code of Honor (2016), The Cokeville Miracle (2015) and Hello I Love You (2018)
  • John Beagley (1800-1885), English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1823 to 1826
  • Henry Beagley (b. 1805), English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket from 1825 to 1833, brother of Thomas Beagley
  • Thomas Beagley (1789-1858), English professional cricketer
  • David Beagley, Australian former professor at La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
  • Kenneth Beagley, Australian Professor of Immunology, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  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. 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.
  6. 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)
  7. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The INDIAN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Indian.htm


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