Surname Bedell - Meaning and Origin

Bedell: What does the surname Bedell mean?

Bedell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it is an occupational surname. The name is derived from the pre 7th century Old English term "bedel." The role of a Bedel was similar to that of a Beadle — a church officer or messenger, originally of a parish, later of a university. The term Bedell was used principally in universities and ecclesiastical organizations during the Middle Ages. Bedells were officials who played various roles such as carrying out ceremonial duties, maintaining order, and performing administrative tasks. Hence, the surname Bedell may have originally been given to people who performed the duties of a Bedel. Such occupational names were commonly given as surnames during the middle ages as a means of identifying a person's job or craft.

Bedell: Where does the name Bedell come from?

The surname Bedell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English word "bydel," which means "a herald." It was historically an occupational name for a town crier or a court official. The earliest records of the surname Bedell can be traced back to England, particularly in Essex, during the 12th century.

Over time, Bedell families migrated to other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Ireland during the era of mass emigration. Today, the surname Bedell is most common in the United States, with a large concentration of Bedell families found in New York according to census records. However, it is also still found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Norfolk and London. Additionally, it is present in small numbers in other English-speaking countries and in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Bedell

The surname Bedell carries variations as a result of phonetic spelling, regional dialects, and transliteration from other languages. Below are alternate spellings and variants that could be linked with Bedell:

1. Bedel - An alternate spelling seen in some families.

2. Biddle - Particularly found in certain regions of United States.

3. Bidell - A variation that could have been the result of phonetic spelling.

4. Beadle - This is a common variant, particularly in England.

5. Beedell - Another common variation which is prevalent in England.

6. Beddell - An infrequent variant with an additional letter 'd'.

7. Betell - This can be a result of phonetics and regional accents.

8. Bedelle - This could possibly reflect a French influence on the name.

Given that surnames often hold occupational or locational roots, these names could all potentially derive from the term “bedel”, which was a title for a parish official in the Middle Ages. The different variants could hence be geographical adaptations or alterations over time. It is also important to remember that the variations could be due to clerical errors in records, where handwriting was misinterpreted, or mistakes were made in transcription.

Famous people with the name Bedell

• Smith Thompson Bedell: A former U.S. Congressman from New York.
• Bert Bedell: He was an American professional golfer and winner of the PGA Championship in 1939.
• Clarence D. B. Bedell: He served as a U.S. Representative from New York.
• John Curtiss Bedell: An academic, historian and filmmaking professor.
• Loretta Bedell: An American sport shooter who competed in two events at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Richard Bedell: American producer known for his work in movies such as Hotel Rwanda and The Kissing Booth.
• Leslie Ballamy: A British motor racing engineer who used the pseudonym LMB, a combination of his and his wife's (Marjorie Bedell) initials.
• Samantha Bedell: A former American ice hockey player.
• Glen Bedell: A former member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Kansas House of Representatives.
• Geoffrey Bedell: An American Episcopal bishop.
• Elika Bedell: A notable landscape artist.
• Gary Bedell: A former American football linebacker in the National Football League.
• Eric Bedell: An American professional basketball player.

Other surnames

BedelBedelle