| ![Show Contents]() Bettenay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England Early Origins of the Bettenay familyThe surname Bettenay was first found in Huntingdonshire, where J. le Bestere was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. A few years later, R. Bestare was listed at Colchester in 1311. The name is generally believed to be derived from the Middle English word beste, meaning a herdsman. 1 Another source notes that name could have originated in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands at St. Albans, held by a steward of St. Albans Church who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 2 Early History of the Bettenay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bettenay research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1504, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Bettenay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bettenay Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bettenay were recorded, including Bestney, Bestnee, Bestknee, Bestnie, Besny, Besnie, Besnee, Bester and many more. Early Notables of the Bettenay familyMore information is included under the topic Early Bettenay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bettenay familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Bettenay arrived in North America very early: Andreas F. Bester, aged 37, who arrived at Ellis Island from Colesburg, S. Africa, in 1912; and Andrew James Bester, aged 34, who arrived at Ellis Island from London, in 1903..
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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