Show ContentsBithell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Welsh name Bithell is a patronymic surname created from the Welsh personal name Ithel. The surname Bithell features the distinctive Welsh patronymic prefix "ab" or "ap," which mean "son of." The original form of the name was ab-Ithell, but the prefix has been assimilated into the surname over the course of time. 1

Early Origins of the Bithell family

The surname Bithell was first found in Herefordshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Bithell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bithell research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1400, 1606, 1615, 1622, 1654, 1660, 1668, 1679, 1773 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Bithell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bithell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bethel, Bethell, Bithel, Bithell, Bythell, Bythel and others.

Early Notables of the Bithell family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Christopher Bethell (1773-1859), Bishop of Bangor; Sir Walter Bethell (died 1622); Hugh Bethell (1615-1679), an English politician who...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bithell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bithell family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James Bethell who settled in Virginia in 1635; William Bethell, who settled in Virginia in 1653; Hugh Bethel, who arrived in Virginia in 1690; Thomas Bethel, his wife Rebecca, and their daughter Rebecca who all came to Virginia in 1714.


Contemporary Notables of the name Bithell (post 1700) +

  • Brian Bithell (b. 1956), English former football defender who played from 1976 to 1978
  • Stuart Bithell (b. 1986), British silver medalist sailor at the 2012 Summer Olympics


The Bithell 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: Ap Ithel
Motto Translation: Son of Ithel


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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