Bédard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Wales

Early Origins of the Bédard family

The surname Bédard was first found in Merionethshire (Welsh: Sir Feirionnydd), made a county in Northwest Wales in 1284, and anciently part of the kingdom of Gwynedd, where they held a family seat.

The name is derived from the Welsh "ap" or "ab" (son) of "Edward." 1

One of the first records was Dafydd (David) ap Edward ap Hoell who was listed in 1498. 1 In 1536, Hoell ap Bedward held a family seat in Merionethshire. Later in England, we found John Bedhard listed as a Freeman of York in 1643. John Bedward was a Freeman in Chester in 1747. 2

Early History of the Bédard family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bédard research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1556, 1581, 1629, 1647 and 1753 are included under the topic Early Bédard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bédard Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bedward, Bedwart, Beddard, Bedard, Bettard, Betward, Betard, Abeddart, Abeddard, Bederd, Bedwood and many more.

Early Notables of the Bédard family

More information is included under the topic Early Bédard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bédard World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bédard is the 4,057^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Bédard is ranked the 125^th most popular surname with an estimated 24,911 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Bédard is the 37^th popular surname. 5

Bédard migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bédard Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Marie Bedard, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1763

Bédard migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bédard Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Marie Bedard, who arrived in Montreal in 1653
Isaac Bédard, a carpenter, who married Marie Girard in 1644 in La Rochelle, France, and settled with his entire family in Notre-Dame-des-Anges, near Quebec city, in 1663
Jacques Bedard, son of Isaac and Marie, who married Isabelle Doucinet, daughter of Pierre and Fleurence, in Quebec on 4th October 1666 6
Joseph Bedard, son of Isaac and Marie, who married Marie-Madeleine Huppé, daughter of Michel and Madeleine, in Quebec on 15th December 1678 6
Étienne Bedard, son of Jacques and Isabelle, who married Marie Villeneuve, daughter of Mathurin and Marguerite, in Charlesbourg, Quebec on 19th April 1694 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bédard Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Jacques Bedard, son of Jacques and Fleurence, who married Jeanne-Élisabeth Renaud, daughter of Guillaume and Marie, in Charlesbourg, Quebec on 27th November 1702 6
Thomas-Charles Bedard, son of Jacques and Isabelle, who married Jeanne-Françoise Huppé, daughter of Jacques and Marie-Suzanne, in Beauport, Quebec on 10th November 1707 6
Antoine Bedard, son of Louis and Marie-Madeleine, who married Marguerite Gagnor, daughter of Mathurin and Marie-Charlotte, in Quebec on 9th October 1711 6
Charles Bedard, son of Jacques and Isabelle, who married Élisabeth Huppé, daughter of Jacques and Marie-Suzanne, in Beauport, Quebec on 14th November 1712 6
Jean-Baptiste Bedard, son of Louis and Marie-Madeleine, who married Jeanne Paradis, daughter of Jean and Jeanne, in Charlesbourg, Quebec on 24th October 1718 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Bédard (post 1700) +

Connor Bedard (b. 2005), Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL)
Irene Bedard (b. 1967), American actress best known for her portrayal of Native American characters
Patrick Bedard (b. 1941), American racing journalist
Joseph A. Bedard, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for New Hampshire Governor's Council 3rd District, 1938 7
Gregory Bedard, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1996 7
Marc-André Bédard (1935-2020), Canadian attorney and politician from Lac-à-la-Croix, Quebec, Minister of Justice and Deputy Premier
James Leo "Jim" Bedard (b. 1927), retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 22 games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks
James Arthur "Jim" Bedard (b. 1956), retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender
Denis Bédard (b. 1950), Canadian composer of organ works
David Peter Bédard (b. 1965), Canadian three-time silver medalist diver at the 1986 and 1990 Commonwealth Games
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html