Beetle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Beetle surname is thought to have been an occupational name from someone who built or used "a beetle, an instrument for driving in wedges, ramming down paving-stones." 1

Alternatively, another source claims the name was a local surname for "one who came from Beetley (wood where wooden mallets were obtained), in Norfolk." 2 Beetley is a parish, in the union of Mitford and Launditch, hundred of Launditch in Norfolk near East Dereham. 3 This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Betellea. 4 Literally the place name means "clearing where beet is grown," from the Old English words "bete" + "leah." 5

And yet another source claims the name is "a corruption of Bedel or Beadle-the office." 6 Interestingly, none of the sources claim any relationship with the insect!

Early Origins of the Beetle family

The surname Beetle was first found in Berkshire where the Assize Rolls of 1248 list Gilbert Betyl. A few years later, John Betel was listed in the Assize Rolls of Kent in 1317. 1

Early History of the Beetle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beetle research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1502, 1544, 1561, 1571, 1589, 1595, 1627, 1632, 1641 and 1642 are included under the topic Early Beetle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beetle Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Beetle are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Beetle include Beatell, Beatle, Beetell, Betell and others.

Early Notables of the Beetle family

Another 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beetle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beetle family to Ireland

Some of the Beetle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 161 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beetle family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Beetle or a variant listed above: John Bedwell, who came to Somers Islands in 1662; Elizabeth Bedwell, who arrived in Virginia in 1664; Hugh Bidwell, who arrived in South Carolina sometime between 1670 and 1679.

Contemporary Notables of the name Beetle (post 1700) +

lan "Doc" Ackerman Beetle (1913-2003), American agrostologist and botanist from Princeton, New Jersey. professor of the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.