Byggerfert History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancient history of the Byggerfert name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in Bickford, which was the name of several places in England. The surname Byggerfert is derived from the Old English words becca, which refers to a type of ax, and ford, which refers to a shallow place in a river.

Early Origins of the Byggerfert family

The surname Byggerfert was first found in Devon at Bickford Town in Plympton St. Mary parish or from Beckford Farm in Membury. 1

"The manor of Carburrow, [in the parish of Warleggon. Cornwall] and the barton of Trevedoc, have been for a considerable time in the family of their present proprietor Arscott Bickford, Esq. of Dunsland in Devonshire. The old mansion still remains; but it is no longer the abode of grandeur." 2

Some sources note that the family could have originated in Beckford, Gloucestershire. This parish, in the union of Winchcomb, partly in the hundred of Tibaldstone dates back to Saxon times when it was known as Beccanford in 803. 3 By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the parish was known as Beceford. 4

In the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, there was a strong presence of the family in Gloucestershire where (Prior) de Bekeford; Adam de Beckeford; and Henry de Beckeford were listed at that time. Alex, de Bikeford was listed in Staffordshire in the same rolls. 5 Of the latter, the village of Bickford in Staffordshire survives today.

Early History of the Byggerfert family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Byggerfert research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1709, 1774 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Byggerfert History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Byggerfert Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Byggerfert include Bickford, Bickerford and others.

Early Notables of the Byggerfert family

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

Migration of the Byggerfert family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Byggerfert or a variant listed above: Stephen Bickford who settled in Warren, Maine, in the year of 1640; and other members of the family settled in New Hampshire at Henniker, Sabornton, and Nottingham..

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)