Show ContentsBebe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bebe was derived from a place name in Leicestershire called Beeby. The place name is derived from the Old English "beo," meaning "bee," and "byr," or "settlement." That is, it was "the place where they kept bees."

Early Origins of the Bebe family

The surname Bebe was first found in Leicestershire where they had been settled since ancient times before the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Bebe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bebe research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1775, 1840, 1889, 1922, 1963 and 1986 are included under the topic Early Bebe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bebe 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. Bebe has been recorded under many different variations, including Beeby, Beebee, Beebe, Bebe, Beebey and others.

Early Notables of the Bebe family

Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bebe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bebe 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 Bebe or a variant listed above:

Bebe Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Maria Bebe, who arrived in Texas in 1835 [1]
  • Santiago Bebe, who landed in Texas in 1835 [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name Bebe (post 1700) +

  • Bebe Patten (1913-2004), American Christian evangelist, founder of Patten University
  • Bebe Daniels (1901-1971), American actress, singer, dancer, writer, producer and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom


The Bebe 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: Se defendendo
Motto Translation: In his own defence.


  1. 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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