Surname Beddows - Meaning and Origin
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Beddows: What does the surname Beddows mean?
The surname Beddows is of English origin, specifically from the Cheshire County region. It still currently holds the highest concentration of people carrying the surname in England. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English word "bedhus," which translates to "prayer house" or "oratory." Alternatively, it could be traced from the Welsh word "bedw," meaning "birch trees". Historically, it is said to be a topographic surname, given to someone who lived near a place of prayer or a birch tree. Throughout history, it has been subject to many variations in spelling including Beddow, Bedow, Beddoe, Bedoe, and others. Like many surnames, its usage was primarily as an identifier during times when expanding populations needed better individual distinctions. Overall, the surname Beddows carries a significant impression of religious and natural landmark connotations, indicating one's geographical location or inclination towards religiosity.
Order DNA origin analysisBeddows: Where does the name Beddows come from?
The surname Beddows is of English origin and believed to be derived from the Middle English word 'bedhus,' which translates to 'prayer house.' It is primarily a topographical surname for someone who lived near a prayer house or oratory. Some sources also suggest it may be a patronymic surname, referencing 'son of Bede,' with 'Bede' being an ancient personal name.
Beddows is not a particularly common surname today, but it is most frequently encountered in England, where the surname originated. In particular, it tends to be found more commonly in regions such as Staffordshire and Shropshire, based on early records and census data. The surname has also spread to other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, likely due to patterns of immigration and diaspora over the past several centuries. However, the distribution remains relatively low compared to more common surnames.
Variations of the surname Beddows
The surname Beddows is of Welsh origin and is derived from the Welsh personal name Bedo. The variants of the surname include: Beddoe, Bedoe, Bedow, Beddow, and Bedowes. Some other names are likely derived from beddoe, such as Beddall, Bedall, Beadell, Beedell and Betulle.
Sometimes surnames undergo considerable change in spelling due to numerous reasons such as linguistic alteration, the phonetic spelling by clerks and scribes, and regional dialects. So, the Beddows surname could also have transformed into Beadles, Beetles, Bedells, Bedelles, Bedwell, and Bedwalls.
Aside from Wales, the Beddows surname is also quite common in England, especially in counties like Shropshire and Lancashire. So, surnames such as Biddles, Bidle, Bidell and Betles may also be connected to Beddows.
Please note, without comprehensive genealogical study, one cannot assertively confirm all the variants and derivations for this surname. However, it can be said that there is a likelihood that the surnames listed above do have some relationship to the anglicized Welsh surname, Beddows.
Famous people with the name Beddows
- Tobias Beddows: Known as Toby Jepson, he is an English singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the lead vocalist for hard rock band Little Angels.
- Frank Beddows: He was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs like Manchester United and Stockport County during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Ron Beddows: Also a professional footballer, he played for teams like Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wrexham during the 1960s.
- Jack Beddows: An English cricketer who played for Derbyshire during the 1919 season.
- Katie Beddows: A British playwright and scriptwriter known for her work on British children's TV series such as "Zig and Zag".
- Vic Beddows: A former English footballer at Rotherham United and has also worked as a coach at Halifax Town.
- John Beddows: Now John Belcher, he was a British sailor who competed in the mixed 5.5 metres event at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
- George Beddows: He was an English sportsman who played both cricket and football professionally in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.