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![Show Contents]() Bidemant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Bidemant family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a person hired to pray for another's soul after his death. The surname Bidemant 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 Bidemant familyThe surname Bidemant 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 Bidemant familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bidemant 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 Bidemant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bidemant Spelling VariationsBidemant has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Bidemant have been found, including Beadman, Bedman, Bedeman, Bedemon, Beadmann and many more. Early Notables of the Bidemant familyAnother 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bidemant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bidemant familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bidemants to arrive on North American shores: 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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