Surname Bean - Meaning and Origin
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Unfolding the Celtic Connection: Discovering the Ancestral History of the Bean Surname through iGENEA DNA Test
Undertaking the iGENEA DNA test allowed me to unearth the significant historical lineage behind my surname, Bean. From the association with notorious figures in Scottish folklore to my ancestral roots among the mighty Celtic tribes, the findings have offered a transformative understanding of my history.
O. Bean
read moreBean: What does the surname Bean mean?
The surname Bean is of Scottish origin and it derives from the Gaelic word "Beathan" or "b'eathan" which translates to "life." It is thought to be an Anglicized or Americanized version of this Gaelic name, primarily used by the Highland families normally associated with Clan MacBean. Many Scottish emigrants to America changed their surnames to more English-sounding names, hence the transformation from Beathan to Bean. This practice was common due to the discrimination many Scottish people faced in America, so an Anglicized name was often beneficial for fitting in and finding work. The name Bean may also have originated from the Middle English term for a trader or merchant of particular goods, in this case possibly legumes, which were a significant part of the medieval diet. However, the Scottish origin is considered most likely. Today, the Bean surname is spread largely across the United States, Scotland and England.
Order DNA origin analysisBean: Where does the name Bean come from?
The surname Bean has multiple origins. It is quite common in the British Isles, particularly in Scotland, England and Ireland. In Scotland, the name was derived from the Gaelic word "Beathan" or "b'heathan" and was taken from a historical figure, Beathan, who lived in the Isle of Mull. This name made its way to England during the Norman conquest of 1066.
In Ireland, the surname Bean has a different Gaelic origin, and comes from "O’Beachain," which was later anglicized to "O'Beane" and then shortened to "Bean."
In the United States, the name Bean is commonly seen in Northeastern areas, like New Hampshire and Maine, due to high concentrations of British immigrants. People bearing the Bean name can be found in countries all around the world today, but it is most common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The surname has also been turned into given names, such as the famous actor Sean Bean.
Despite its origins, Bean is not an uncommon last name in various parts of the world today due to migration and the passing down of surnames over generations.
Variations of the surname Bean
The surname Bean is of Scottish and English origins, generally deriving from the Old English ‘beon’ which means 'warrior'.
Different variations, spellings and surnames of similar origin include Been, Beene, Beane, Bein, Beon, Bion, Byne, Bayne, Baines, and the Scottish versions Bane and Bain. McBean, meaning "son of Bean", is another related surname commonly found in Scotland.
In Irish, it can also be a derivative of the Gaelic name "O’Beagain", therefore the surname O'Bean and Begin are relevant as well. Another Irish version of this surname is Ban, which refers to a person with fair or white hair or complexion.
In some cases, Bean might be an Anglicized form of the German name Biehn.
All these variants give the same connotation of being a warrior or a person with fair complexion or hair. It is pervasive in areas of Scotland, England, and across the English speaking world due to migration, multiple spellings, translations and Anglicizations.
Importantly, the surname variants and spellings can differ even within the same family lineage, typically due to changes in language, migration, or personal preference.
Famous people with the name Bean
- Sean Bean: An English actor best known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings", "Game of Thrones", and "GoldenEye".
- Orson Bean: An American film, television, and stage actor, as well as a comedian, author, and producer.
- Billy Bean: A former MLB player and currently the vice president and special assistant to the MLB Commissioner, noted for being one of only a few openly gay former players.
- Jacoba Francisca Maria Smulders (better known as Cobie Smulders): A Canadian actress and model who married the actor and comedian Taran Killam, whose birth name was Taran Hourie Riley. Taran later took his mother’s maiden name, Bean.
- Noah Bean: An American actor best known for his roles in the TV series "Nikita" and "Damages".
- Roy Bean: A famous eccentric U.S. saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde Country, Texas, who was known as "The Hanging Judge".
- Rowan Atkinson, who is famous for his character Mr. Bean. While his real name isn't Bean, it's how many people know him globally.
- Alan Bean: A former NASA astronaut and the fourth person to walk on the moon. After retiring, he became a painter.