| ![Show Contents]() Bestman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of BestmanWhat does the name Bestman mean? Bestman is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a strong or resourceful man. The surname Bestman is derived from the Old English Old French word beste, and ultimately comes from the Latin word bestia, which means beast. 1 2 3 The surname Bestman may also be a metonym referring to some one who was employed as a herdsman. However, two sources claim the name is more probably of Norman stock, having been derived been an abbreviation of the name Bessett. 4 5 Early Origins of the Bestman familyThe surname Bestman was first found in Somerset, where William Best was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1201. Years later, Wilkin le Best was listed in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1260 and later again, John Besteman was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 6 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the widespread use of the name: Richard le Beste in Cambridgeshire; William Best in Buckinghamshire and Walter Best in Oxfordshire. Thomas Best and Agnes Best were both listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. Robert Beast or Best was Sheriff of Norwich in 1495. 3 In Ireland, "the Irish Bests came from Kent, England and settling in Leinster in the seventeenth century became prominent in Carlow and adjacent counties." 4 In Scotland, "a booth was leased to John Best in Edinburgh, 1457. John Best was a skinner in Edinburgh, 1603 - the only one of the name in this record. Thomas Best was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1618 and Agnes Best is recorded in Jedburgh Forest, 1684." 7 Early History of the Bestman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bestman research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1495, 1570, 1572, 1576, 1577, 1578, 1583, 1584, 1590, 1596, 1598, 1602, 1609, 1638, 1640, 1652, 1657, 1659, 1687, 1709, 1740, 1826, 1840, 1847, 1856, 1871, 1890, 1946 and 1959 are included under the topic Early Bestman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bestman Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Bestman were recorded, including Best, Beast, Beste, Bestman and others. Early Notables of the Bestman familyGeorge Best (d. 1584?), English navigator who accompanied Martin Frobisher in the three voyages undertaken (in 1576, 1577, and 1578) to discover the North-west Passage. There is some confusion as to the date of his death as "a George Best, servant to Sir Christopher Hatton, was killed in a duel, about March 1583-1584, by Oliver St. John, afterwards Viscount Grandison. This person is doubtless to be identified with the writer of the 'Trve Discovrse.' Another George Best, fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, was instituted to the vicarage of All Saints, Cambridge, in 1572, and to the rectory of St. Dunstan-in-the-East, London...
Another 159 words (11 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bestman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bestman family to IrelandSome of the Bestman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 540 words (39 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Bestman migration to the United States | + |
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 Bestman family emigrate to North America:
Bestman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Richard Bestman, who landed in Mississippi in 1860 8
| Contemporary Notables of the name Bestman (post 1700) | + |
- Dorothy Bestman, American actor, known for We Are Washington
- Denise Bestman (b. 2000), American singer-songwriter from Staten Island, New York
- Amy Bestman, Australian researcher with the University of New South Wales
- Monique Bestman, Dutch researcher with Louis Bolk Institute
- Pewou Bestman (b. 1975), retired Liberian professional football goalkeeper who represented Liberia national football team between 1988 and 2002
- John G. Bestman (b. 1939), Liberian politician and administrator who twice served as Minister of Finance, from 1987 to 1988 and again in 1999
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: Libertas in legibus
Motto Translation: Liberty in the law.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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