Show ContentsBettemint History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bettemint finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a person hired to pray for another's soul after his death. The surname Bettemint is derived from the Old English terms bede, which means prayer, and man, which means man. In medieval England, there were also beadhouses, or almshouses for the poor, where the inhabitants were required to pray for their benefactors. In a publication by Skelton in 1528, he wrote of Other smale mynisters, as reders and singers, bedemen and bellringers.

Early Origins of the Bettemint family

The surname Bettemint was first found in Somerset, where they held a family seat from the Middle Ages.

Lawrence Bedeman or Stevine (fl. 1372-1410), was a supporter of Wycliffe who appears first, in 1372, as a scholar of Stapeldon Hall. He was ultimately rector, holding this office from 1379 to 1380. After this he was made rector of Lifton, in Devonshire, and held this benefice as late as 11 June 1410, when he was licensed to preach in Latin or English. 1

Early History of the Bettemint family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bettemint research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1372, 1381, 1410, 1500, 1659 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Bettemint History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bettemint 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. Bettemint has been recorded under many different variations, including Beadman, Bedman, Bedeman, Bedemon, Beadmann and many more.

Early Notables of the Bettemint family

Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bettemint Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bettemint 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 Bettemint or a variant listed above: Elizabeth Beadman who arrived in Virginia in 1650.



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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