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![Show Contents]() Beddehan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Beddehan has been recorded in British history since the time when the Anglo-Saxons ruled over the region. The name is assumed to have been given to someone who was a person hired to pray for another's soul after his death. The surname Beddehan is derived from the Old English terms bede, which means prayer, and man, which means man. In medieval England, there were also beadhouses, or almshouses for the poor, where the inhabitants were required to pray for their benefactors. In a publication by Skelton in 1528, he wrote of Other smale mynisters, as reders and singers, bedemen and bellringers. Early Origins of the Beddehan familyThe surname Beddehan was first found in Somerset, where they held a family seat from the Middle Ages. Lawrence Bedeman or Stevine (fl. 1372-1410), was a supporter of Wycliffe who appears first, in 1372, as a scholar of Stapeldon Hall. He was ultimately rector, holding this office from 1379 to 1380. After this he was made rector of Lifton, in Devonshire, and held this benefice as late as 11 June 1410, when he was licensed to preach in Latin or English. 1 Early History of the Beddehan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beddehan research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1372, 1381, 1410, 1500, 1659 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Beddehan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Beddehan Spelling VariationsThe 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. Beddehan has been spelled many different ways, including Beadman, Bedman, Bedeman, Bedemon, Beadmann and many more. Early Notables of the Beddehan familyAnother 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beddehan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Beddehan familyThousands 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 Beddehans to arrive in North America: Elizabeth Beadman who arrived in Virginia in 1650.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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