Of all the
Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Beckworthey is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived at Beckwith in the
Yorkshire parish of Pannal, and it is from this location that the name Beckworthey is derived. The distinguished name Beckworthey is derived from the Old English word
bece, which means
beech, and the Old Norse word
vior, which means
wood. Thus the surname Beckworthey indicates the proximity of the town to a grove of beech trees.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8) The name of Beckwith is said to have been changed from
Malbie in the 12th century.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.Early Origins of the Beckworthey family
The surname Beckworthey was first found in
Yorkshire, where "most of the armigerous families of the name spring from, and Beckwith, a hamlet in the parish of Pannal, in that county, is probably the cradle of the race. "
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Early History of the Beckworthey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beckworthey research.
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beckworthey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Beckworthey Spelling Variations
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few
hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time,
spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Beckworthey has been spelled many different ways, including Beckwith, Beckworth, Beckworthe and others.
Early Notables of the Beckworthey family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Beckworthey Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Beckworthey family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Beckwortheys to arrive in North America: Sir Marmaduke Beckwith of Aldborough who settled in Richmond County, Virginia in 1748; but he had been preceded by Matthew Beckwith who settled in Connecticut in 1635.
The Beckworthey 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: Jouir en bien
Motto Translation: To enjoy innocent