Show ContentsBythell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Welsh name Bythell is a patronymic surname created from the Welsh personal name Ithel. The surname Bythell 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 Bythell family

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

Early History of the Bythell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bythell 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 Bythell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bythell Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Bythell 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 Bythell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bythell 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 Bythell (post 1700) +

  • Joan Mary Bythell, English recipient of The Queen's Service Medal in 1999


The Bythell 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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