Bith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Wales
Ireland

From the land of Wales came the name of Bith. The evolution of this Celtic name can be traced back to when the Bith family lived in the settlement of Bathe Barton in North Tawton, in the county of Devon, or in the famed cathedral city of Bath in Somerset. The surname Bith belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. However, some scholars believe this surname to be a patronym derived from the Welsh personal name Atha. The original form of this name was ab-Atha, which was abbreviated to Batha. 1

Early Origins of the Bith family

The surname Bith was first found in Somerset, and Gloucestershire where they were one of the earliest families to settle on the English/Welsh border.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Job de Bath in Sussex, while Kirby's Quest listed John de Bathe, Somerset, 1 Edward III; and John atte Bathe, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 2

Henry de Bathe or Bathonia (d. 1261), was an English judge, "said to have been a younger brother of Walter de Bathe, and to have been born at the family seat, Bathe House, North Tawton, Devon." 3

Let's take a moment to explore Henry de Bath(e)'s life in more detail: "The barton of Bath is associated with a notable piece of folklore. It was the name, place, and seat of the family of Bath, De Bath, or Bathon a house sometime of much note. Of this stock was Sir Henry Bath, Justice Itinerant to Henry III., who was charged with corruption in his office, and respecting whom Henry is said to have declared at his trial, ' Whosoever shall kill Henry de Bath shall be quit of his death, and I do hereby acquit him.' However, Bath was fortunate enough not only to be taken into favour again, but to be made Chief Justice of the King's Bench. He died in 1261. The point of folklore raised is not unique, which makes it the more curious. " 4

Early History of the Bith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bith research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1238, 1350, 1351, 1397, 1402, 1409, 1450, 1460, 1476, 1478, 1500, 1536, 1559, 1564, 1570, 1586, 1592, 1595, 1596, 1597, 1607, 1610, 1614 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Bith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bith Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. The most obvious reason was the challenge of translating from Welsh into English. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Bith name over the years has been spelled Bath, Bathe and others.

Early Notables of the Bith family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Henry Bath of Alltyfering, High Sheriff of Glamorgan; John Bathe, High Sheriff of London (1350-1351); and John Bathe (died 1409), English politician, Member...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bith family to Ireland

Some of the Bith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 354 words (25 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bith family

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Bith: John Bath who settled in Virginia in 1663; another John Bath settled in New England in 1709 with his wife and two children; John Bathe settled in Barbados in 1635. In Newfoundland, Thomas settled in Trinity Harbour in 1722.

The Bith 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: Habere et dispertire
Motto Translation: To have and to share with others.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital