Bettegood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Bettegood surname finds its earliest origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name is derived from the Old English name Biggegod. The name is made up of two Old English elements: bigge, which means big or large, and god, which means good. "The Anglo-Saxon guth-boda would mean "a war messenger." The Old Norse bodi is a messenger, and gunn, gunnur, gud, Old High German, gund, gunt, war." 1

Early Origins of the Bettegood family

The surname Bettegood was first found in Somerset, where the earliest form of the name is Biggegod. 2

Kirby's Quest listed John Biggegod, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 3

Early History of the Bettegood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bettegood research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1349, 1369, 1524, 1606, 1621, 1624, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1690 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Bettegood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bettegood Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Bettegood are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Bettegood include: Bidgood, Bidgoode, Biddgood, Biggegod, Bydgood and many more.

Early Notables of the Bettegood family

Distinguished members of the family include John Bidgood (1624-1690), a leading member of the College of Physicians. He was the son of Humphrey Bidgood, an apothecary of Exeter, was born in that city 13 March 1624. "His father was poisoned in 1641 by his servant, Peter Moore, a crime for...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bettegood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bettegood family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Bettegood or a variant listed above: Richard Bidgood, who arrived in Boston in 1638.

Citations +

Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. 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)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.