Belsted History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Early Origins of the Belsted family

Early History of the Belsted family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Belsted research. Another 240 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Belsted History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Belsted Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Belsted are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Belsted include: Belstead, Bellstead, Bestede, Belsted, Bellsted, Bellestede and many more.

Early Notables of the Belsted family

Distinguished members of the family include

• Robert de Belsted, a prominent 13th century landholder in Suffolk

Migration of the Belsted family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Belsted or a variant listed above: W. Belstead, who arrived in San Francisco in 1852.