Surname Beames - Meaning and Origin

Beames: What does the surname Beames mean?

The surname Beames is of English origin and its spelling variations may include Beames, Beamish or Beamis. It was often given to someone who lived near a significant beam or post, such as the central beam of a bridge, or it could denote someone who worked in a place where beams were produced. It may also refer to a person living near a tree or a beam-like geographical feature. As with many surnames, Beames can be classified as a topographic or occupational surname. Topographic surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape could serve as easily recognizable distinguishing names. The original bearers of the Beames surname were distinguished by their association with the geographical feature known as a beam. The further etymology of the word refers to the Old English word "beam" which translates to "tree" or "beam." The surname Beames has been present in many historical accounts and society records across different parts of England.

Beames: Where does the name Beames come from?

The surname Beames is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was first found in numerous counties in Great Britain. The name is derived from old English words such as "beam" or "beom," indicating 'tree', or a 'post' or 'beam', and was initially given as an occupational surname to a weaver or someone who worked with beams in a building structure.

Although exact details about its commonality today are scarce, genealogical data suggest that the surname Beames has spread to several English-speaking countries, including Australia, America, and Canada. It can be presumed that the name is more likely to be common in England where it originated.

It is important to note that the distribution and prevalence of surnames can change over time due to migration patterns, intermarriage, and naturalization. Therefore, the presence of the surname Beames in an area today doesn't necessarily mean it has a historic or cultural connection to that location. The name Beames may also have multiple independent origins, meaning people with the surname aren't necessarily genetically related.

Variations of the surname Beames

The surname Beames has origins in England. It appears to come from a topographical name for someone who lived near a tree, stream, or a beam of a house, or possibly an occupational name for a beam-maker. The list of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin is lengthy, but includes the following:

Beemes, Beeme, Beam, Beame, Beem, Beems, Beeam, Beamis, Beamish, Beamiss, Beme, Bemes, Bemish, Beamshaw, Bemshaw. The last names Beamson, Beemson, Bemson, Beimson are also possible derivatives.

The surname Beames was predominantly located in London and the surrounding south-eastern counties of England where there has been a couple of new variations including Bemes and Beme, these appeared relatively infrequently.

In the northern regions of England, specifically around Northumberland and Durham, the variant spellings Beamish and Beamson appeared. Meanwhile, in Yorkshire, the last name variants Beamshaw and Bemshaw occur.

Overall, its key to note that spelling variation can be common, especially before the age of standardized spelling in the English language, and thus this list isn't exhaustive.

Famous people with the name Beames

• Derham Beames: A former Australian Test cricketer in the 1920s and 1930s, who also played for the Victoria cricket team.
• John Beames: A British civil servant and Indologist, noted for his work on the linguistics of the Indian languages. He authored books like "A Comparative Grammar of Modern Indo-Aryan Languages of India."
• Margaret Beames: A New Zealand author of children's books. Some of her works include 'Olly and Me', 'A Present from the Past', and 'Ellie and the Shadow Man'.
• Thomas Noel Beames: An English author and philanthropist, known for his book, 'The Rookeries of London'.
• Michael Beames: An Australian actor known for his roles in films like 'Bad Boy Bubby' and 'A Cry in the Dark'.
• Tony Beames: An Australian playwright and screenwriter known for his plays which have been produced by many of the major theatre companies in Australia. Please note that the name 'Beames' is not very common among well-known individuals, and so this list is somewhat limited.

Other surnames

Beamen