Betell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Betell

What does the name Betell mean?

The Betell 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 Betell family

The surname Betell 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 Betell family

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

Betell Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Betell has appeared include Beatell, Beatle, Beetell, Betell and others.

Early Notables of the Betell family

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

Migration of the Betell family to Ireland

Some of the Betell 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.

Betell migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Betell arrived in North America very early:

Betell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Philip Betell, who landed in America in 1709 7

Betell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Betell, who arrived in New York in 1801 7

Sources +

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.
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)