Surname Beddowe - Meaning and Origin
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Beddowe: What does the surname Beddowe mean?
The surname Beddowe is of Welsh origin and is derived from the personal name Bedo, a pet form of Maredudd or Meredydd which was common among the Welsh. Surnames in Wales were historically derived from a patronymic system, where a son would take on the father's name as his last name, often with 'ap' or 'ab' (meaning 'son of') prefixed to it. Gradually, these names became fixed and were passed down through generations as family names. The name Beddowe is also found as Beddoe and Beddows. It is now relatively uncommon, being most commonly found in Wales and the English counties bordering Wales. Like most surnames, the exact meaning is unclear, but it is often speculated that it could mean 'grave' or 'tomb', in reference to the biblical 'bed of death'.
Order DNA origin analysisBeddowe: Where does the name Beddowe come from?
The surname Beddowe is of English origin, and it is an alternative spelling of the name Beddoe which is of Welsh origin. The name is thought to be derived from 'ap Bedo,' which means 'son of Bedo.' Bedo is a Welsh personal name and the 'ap' prefix in Welsh is commonly used to denote 'son of.' Over time, 'ap Bedo' may have been anglicized and modified to become Beddowe.
The surname Beddowe is quite rare, not only in the United Kingdom but also globally. England might have the highest population of families with the Beddowe surname due to its English origin. It's also likely to be found in countries where English people have emigrated over the centuries, such as Australia, the United States, and Canada. However, the distribution of the Beddowe surname is very sparse, making it uncommon in most places today.
Variations of the surname Beddowe
The surname Beddowe is likely of Welsh origin, and is a version of the Welsh personal name Bedo, which was often Anglicized as Beddoe or Beddow. Variations and spelling alterations of Beddowe could thus understandably include Bedo, Bedow, Beddow, Beddoe, and possibly even Beddo. Other variants might rely on other Welsh or English phonetic interpretations, such as Bedoe, Bedowe, or Bedoue.
Surname changes often occur due to variations in regional dialect, translation errors, or even changes based on personal preference of the bearer. Consequently, similar surnames of various spelling, while possibly related, may not always be from the same origin. The pronunciation and phonetic similarity are key factors in the derivations of surnames, sometimes leading to a variety of versions and iterations in the records. It's vital to consider different spellings when researching genealogy or family history.
However, this information should be corroborated with genealogical research, as surname origins can be complex, often having several possible sources or interpretations based on cultural, geographical, and personal factors.
Famous people with the name Beddowe
- Chris Beddowe: is a British television producer/director. He has worked on dramas such as Downton Abbey, Cranford, The Musketeers, Midsomer Murders and other popular shows.
- George Beddowe: English water skier, who won a gold medal at the 1979 World Championships in Acapulco, Mexico.
- Sally Beddowe: is an English acrobat, clown and puppeteer. She is best known for her work on the children's TV show The Wide Awake Club.
- David Beddowe: British actor and schoolteacher who starred in the TV series Horrible Histories as King Henry VIII.
- Steven Beddowe: English swimmer. He competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia.
- Hugh Beddowe: is an English composer and musician who has written pieces for The Royal Air Force Band, the Cavalry Band and Chatham Band. He has performed with artists such as Morrissey, Macaulay Culkin, Depeche Mode and The Pet Shop Boys.
- Peter Beddowe: is an English comedian who has appeared on shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive.
- Mark Beddowe: is an English television producer/director who has worked on comedy shows such as The Ricky Gervais Show and The Jonathan Ross Show.
- Jackie Beddowe: is an English actress who has appeared on ITV's Coronation Street, The Bill and The Bill Special.
- Andy Beddowe: is an English footballer who played for Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers.