Beebay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Beebay

What does the name Beebay mean?

The name Beebay 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." 1

The Domesday Book of 1086, records the parish as "Bebi." 2

Early Origins of the Beebay family

The surname Beebay was first found in Leicestershire, England at Beeby, 3 a parish, in the union of Barrow-upon-Soar, hundred of East Goscote 4 where John de Beby was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. In Yorkshire, the first record there was that of Richard Bebie who was a Freeman of York in 1596. Robert Beeby was later listed in Suffolk in 1674. 5

"The Beebys originally took their name from a Leicestershire parish. In the reign of Henry III., Hugh de Beby was rector of Willoughby Waterless, and William de Beby was rector of Claybrook (N.). Between the reigns of Edward III. and Henry V., four mayors of Leicester bore the name of Bebye, or Beebye, or De Beby (T.). William Beeby was a Gaddesby freeholder in the time of Charles I.; Richard Beeby and Elizabeth Hubbert were married in Belgrave church in the reign of Charles II.; in the middle of last century Francis Beeby was a proprietor of land in Fleckney and a family of the name then lived at Shenton (N.). The name is still in the city of Leicester." 6

Early History of the Beebay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beebay research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1744, 1760, 1775, 1840, 1889, 1922, 1963 and 1986 are included under the topic Early Beebay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beebay Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Beebay were recorded, including Beeby, Beebee, Beebe, Bebe, Beebey and others.

Early Notables of the Beebay family

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

Migration of the Beebay family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Beebay family emigrate to North America: John Beebe, who came to America in 1650; Lydia Beebe, who came to New London, CT in 1650; Samuel Beebe, who settled in America in 1650; Thomas Beebe, who came to America in 1650.

The Beebay 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.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.