Bellward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Early Origins of the Bellward family

Early History of the Bellward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bellward research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1138 and 1341 are included under the topic Early Bellward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bellward Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Belward, Belwood, Bellward, Bellwood and others.

Early Notables of the Bellward family

More information is included under the topic Early Bellward Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bellward family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Bellward or a variant listed above: Robert Bellwood, who arrived in Maryland in 1681; William Bellwood, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1832; Monah Bellwood, who settled in Ontario in 1871.