Show ContentsBeagle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The history of the name Beagle begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from the name of a medieval court official called a beadle. A beadle performed similar duties to those of a bailiff in a modern court of law, as well as acting as a sort of town crier, and later as a constable of the parish. [1]

Early records of the name mention Brictamarus Bedel of the County of Suffolk who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. [2]

Early Origins of the Beagle family

The surname Beagle was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire, at Bedale, a market-town, parish, and the head of a union, chiefly in the wapentake of Hang-East, but partly in that of Hallikeld. "The houses are in general of brick, and irregularly built; the air is pure, and the neighbourhood, which is well cultivated, affords many pleasant walks and much picturesque scenery. " [3]

As an occupational name, the name can be found in a wide variety of spellings over much of ancient Britain. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Geoffrey le Bedel, Kent; Martin le Bedel, Norfolk; and Walter Bidellus, Lincolnshire. [4] The "le" meaning "the" denoted the occupational nature of the name and that last entry found there was in the Latin form.

Kirby's Quest noted John le Bedal, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) [5]

Historically it was "a well-known office. In [the] Domesday Book, we have, among the greater tenants. Godwin Bedellus, and "Beaellus quidam Regis," a certain beadle, apparitor, or messenger of the King. " [1]

In Scotland, the variant Beedles was principally found. "An old Scots surname, perhaps the possessive of 'Beadle,' from the office. One of this name may have given origin to Biedlieston in parish of Dyce, Aberdeenshire." [6]

Early History of the Beagle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beagle research. Another 125 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1327, 1578, 1613, 1632, 1650 and 1667 are included under the topic Early Beagle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beagle Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Beagle has been recorded under many different variations, including Beadell, Beadle, Beadles, Beedle, Beedell, Bedle and others.

Early Notables of the Beagle family

Distinguished members of the family include John Beadle (died 1667), an English clergyman and diarist. He was the author of the 'Journal or Diary of a Thankful Christian.' He matriculated at the University of Cambridge on 8 July 1613 and was...
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beagle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beagle Ranking

In the United States, the name Beagle is the 10,391st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [7]


United States Beagle migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Beagle or a variant listed above:

Beagle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • J Beagle, aged 18, who arrived in New York, NY in 1847 [8]
  • Jacob Beagle, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 [8]

Contemporary Notables of the name Beagle (post 1700) +

  • Gail Beagle, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Texas, 2004
  • Fred C. Beagle, American Republican politician, Chair of Schoharie County Republican Party, 1939-42; Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1940
  • Eugene C. Beagle, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Virginia, 1952
  • Duncan M. Beagle, American politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 7th Circuit, 2001
  • Don Beagle, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for U.S. Representative from Texas 9th District, 1998
  • Peter Soyer Beagle (b. 1939), American fantasist and author of novels, nonfiction, and screenplays


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. 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.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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