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![Show Contents]() Biddemane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The many generations and branches of the Biddemane family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person hired to pray for another's soul after his death. The surname Biddemane 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 Biddemane familyThe surname Biddemane 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 Biddemane familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biddemane 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 Biddemane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Biddemane Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Biddemane were recorded, including Beadman, Bedman, Bedeman, Bedemon, Beadmann and many more. Early Notables of the Biddemane familyAnother 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Biddemane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Biddemane familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Biddemane family emigrate to North America: Elizabeth Beadman who arrived in Virginia in 1650.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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