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![Show Contents]() Bellsher History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Bellsher name is derived from the Old Norse word which means good friends. The name appears in the oldest of all English plays The Mystery Plays. "Lo, here is the Belshere broght ye had bring". 1 A parochial name from Bellecourt, near Perrone in Normandy, it is believed to have arrived in England with the Norman Conquest and the name appears on the Roll of the Battel Abbey as Bellesur. 2 Early Origins of the Bellsher familyThe surname Bellsher was first found in Yorkshire, where the Assize Rolls of 1219 list Thomas Belcher as holding lands at that time. 3 A few years later, Richard Belcchere was listed in Gloucestershire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls listed John Belsire in Kent. 1 "Belcher has long been an Oxfordshire name. It was established in Enstone in the 16th and 17th centuries. William Belcher, yeoman, of Steeple Aston, presented his son, Thomas Belcher, to the incumbency of Westcot Barton in 1640. Samuel Belcher, apothecary, died at Deddington in 1668. " 4 Early History of the Bellsher familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bellsher research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1453, 1530, 1539, 1553, 1563, 1580, 1621, 1673, 1681, 1730, 1741, 1747, 1757 and 1783 are included under the topic Early Bellsher History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bellsher Spelling VariationsA multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Belcher, Belsher, Belleser, Bellcher, Bellsher, Beleser, Bellesur, Bellecourt, Belcourt and many more. Early Notables of the Bellsher familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Jonathan Belcher (1681-1757), an American merchant, businessman, and politician, Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay (1730-1741), Governor of the Province of...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bellsher Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Bellsher family to Ireland
Some of the Bellsher family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 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 Bellsher familyMany English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Bellsher or a variant listed above: Edward Belcher who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630 and was made a freeman. Jeremy Belcher settled in Ipswick in 1631; after having made the voyage on the 'Susan and Ellen'. Andrew Belcher of Sudbury, Massachusetts settled in 1639. Finally Thomas Belcher settled in Wethersfield in 1640..
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: Loyal au mort
Motto Translation: Faithful unto death.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. 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.
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England
Ireland
