Show ContentsBettinson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bettinson family

The surname Bettinson was first found in Yorkshire where Johannes Betonson and Willelmus Betonson were both listed as holding lands in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 1

However, another source claims that "Bettinson is at present a Norfolk surname occurring mostly in and around Wisbech. There were freeholders named Bettison in Nottinghamshire in 1698." 2

"Grylls, [in the parish of Lesnewth, Cornwall] which is now a farm house, was formerly the seat of a family called Betenson." 3

Early History of the Bettinson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bettinson research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1543, 1582, 1583, 1598, 1602, 1661, 1663, 1675, 1679, 1688, 1733, 1762, 1779 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Bettinson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bettinson Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Bettinson has undergone many spelling variations, including Betenson, Bettenson, Bettison, Betison, Betynson, Bettynson, Bettson, Betson and many more.

Early Notables of the Bettinson family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bettinson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bettinson migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bettinson were among those contributors:

Bettinson Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Jesse Bettinson, aged 27, who settled in America, in 1892
  • Leora Bettinson, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1892
  • Sydney Bettinson, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
  • Harry Bettinson, aged 39, who landed in America, in 1894
Bettinson Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Ada Ellen Bettinson, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States from Barrow, England, in 1922

Canada Bettinson migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bettinson Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • J. Bettinson who arrived in Ontario in 1879

Australia Bettinson migration to Australia +

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

Bettinson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Bettinson, British Convict who was convicted in Nottingham, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 25th April 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
  • Miss Elizabeth Bettinson, (b. 1839), aged 16, Cornish domestic servant departing fromPlymouth on 7th November 1854aboard the ship "Amazon" arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 1st February 1855 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Bettinson (post 1700) +

  • Sam Bettinson, American actor and cinematographer, known for Revamped Volume 2 (2020) and The Christmas List (2020)
  • Brenda Bettinson (b. 1929), English-born, American artist, muralist, radio station art editor, and professor
  • Rob Bettinson (b. 1955), English actor and writer from in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, known for The Fifteen Streets (1989) and Coronation Street (1960)
  • Arthur Frederick Bettinson (1862-1926), English pugilist, English Amateur Boxing Association Lightweight Champion in 1882, co-founder of the National Sporting Club (NSC) in 1891, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011
  • Leslie "Les" Bettinson (1935-2021), English professional rugby league footballer, coach and administrator
  • Laura Bettinson (b. 1987), who uses the stage name FEMME, British singer, songwriter, and producer
  • John Bettinson (b. 1940), British cyclist who competed in the team time trial at the 1968 Summer Olympics

HMAS Sydney II


The Bettinson Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Qui sera sera
Motto Translation: Whatever will be.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1840
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
  6. HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp


Houseofnames.com on Facebook