Show ContentsBeebie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Beebie

What does the name Beebie mean?

The name Beebie 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 Beebie family

The surname Beebie 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 Beebie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beebie 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 Beebie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beebie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Beebie have been found, including Beeby, Beebee, Beebe, Bebe, Beebey and others.

Early Notables of the Beebie family

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

Migration of the Beebie family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Beebie, or a variant listed above: 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 Beebie 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. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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