Betows History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Betows

What does the name Betows mean?

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Betows was formed. The name was derived from the Welsh name ap-Eddow meaning son of Eddow. 1 Over time, this has changed to be known as Betows.

Early Origins of the Betows family

The surname Betows was first found in Shropshire where one of the first records of the family was Bedo ap Richard, recorded in 1493. Later, Johanna Bedowe (1577) and John Beddoe (1641) were recorded. 2

Early History of the Betows family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Betows research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1577, 1578, 1621, 1650, 1674 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Betows History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Betows Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Betows include Beddow, Beddoe, Bedoe, Bedow, Bedows, Bedlow and many more.

Early Notables of the Betows family

William Bedloe (1650-1680), "dishonest adventurer and 'evidence' in the Popish plot, was born on 20 April 1650, at midday, at Chepstow. We must receive with doubt whatever he reported of his family, his boastfulness and unveracity being notorious; but he 'always kept a diary of his most remarkable adventures for the space of ten years together, which was the duration of the scene in...
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Betows Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Betows family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Betows were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William Beddo who settled in Virginia in 1727; Alice Bedow settled in Virginia in 1660; Andrew Bedow landed in America in 1660; John Bedow settled in Barbados in 1660..

The Betows Motto +

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: Qui Invidet Minor Est
Motto Translation: He who envies is inferior

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)