Surname Bedeman - Meaning and Origin

Bedeman: What does the surname Bedeman mean?

The last name Bedeman is an English occupational surname, derived from the word "beadman" which referred to someone who prepared or delivered materials to make beaded jewelry. This profession often involved travelling to distant locations in search of high quality beads, and so Bedeman is often associated with traders, merchants, and travelers.

In medieval times, beadman referred to someone who stringed beads to make simple jewelry, as well as more elaborate objects such as prayer beads. Beads were popular in many cultures, so there was great demand for skilled beadmen to fulfill requests. During this period, Bedeman became a title of respect given to those skilled beadmakers.

This name is also found spelled Beedman, Bedeman and Bideman in England. As England was colonized, Bedeman spread to the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

The Bedeman last name also reflects an ancient inheritance system. When children are given a family name, it is often associated with the profession of their fathers or grandfathers. Bedeman is an excellent example of this.

Today, the Bedeman last name still identifies those who carry the values of their predecessors. It is a reminder of past generations of industriousness, loyalty and commitment to craftsmanship. However, as with any last name, what defines a "Bedeman" today is largely up to each individual.

Bedeman: Where does the name Bedeman come from?

The surname Bedeman is a relatively uncommon surname, primarily found in the United States. It was likely derived from the German tradition of combining two family names to form a new last name when people immigrated to the US in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a combination of Bede, a Middle English term for "prayer", and man, the suffix denoting a person.

Bedeman is most concentrated in the United States, particularly in the Northeast in cities such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is also present in small numbers in Canada and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the majority of people with the last name of Bedeman are descended from immigrants first settling in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Bedeman is not found in large numbers elsewhere. That being said, there are a few scattered instances of this name in other countries, including Nigeria, Vietnam, South Africa, and even the Philippines.

Tracing the origin of the Bedeman surname can be challenging due to its relatively low frequency around the world. With further research it is possible to identify the continental origins of this surname. A comprehensive examination of census records, immigration records, and genealogical resources is necessary to definitively determine the original source of the Bedeman surname.

Variations of the surname Bedeman

The surname Bedeman has a few different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling of the surname is Bedeman. Other variants and spellings include Bedemen, Beddeman, and Bede-man.

The surname may have originated as an occupational name, derived from the words 'bede' which means 'prayer' or 'supplication', and 'man' which means 'man'. The name may also have been derived from the old English words 'bede' meaning 'breeze' or 'respiratory disturbance' and 'man', a man. The surname Bedeman then could have derived from someone who worked in a church or in a windmill, or perhaps a person who worked in a field of medicine related to the lungs.

The surname is also thought to have developed from the Middle English 'bedeman', meaning 'prayerman', or a man who prayed for others. It could also have developed from the old Dutch 'bedenman', an agent who dealt with religious affairs as well as handling contracts, agreements or other legal documents.

In addition to these variants, the surname Bedeman may also be related to other surnames such as Bedden, Beddson, Bedenham, Bedingfield, Bedinfield, and Beddington. All of these surnames are derived from the same root as Bedeman, and many of them are related to various locations in the United Kingdom, such as Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.

The surname Bedeman is most common in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Germany. It is possible that the surname has spread to other parts of the world, such as the United States, as families have migrated and settled elsewhere.

Famous people with the name Bedeman

• Jules Bedeman: French actor who has appeared in The Emperor's Heart and The Auvergnat and the Actress.
• Edward Bedeman: Emmy Award-winning sound mixer and editor who has worked on such productions as 24, Castle Rock, and Criminal Minds.
• Leonard Bedeman: World War II Medal of Honor recipient.
• Jean-Lou Bedeman: Belgian sculptor, known for his public art installations in several European cities.
• Steve Bedeman: American football coach who has held positions with the University of Minnesota and Ohio State University.
• Bart Bedeman: American artist and musician whose works often portray people and places from his native New York City.
• Larry Bedeman: British racing cyclist who competed in the 1948 Olympic Games.
• Harry Bedeman: Dutch athlete and Olympic bronze medalist in the 4x100 meter relay in 1952.
• Elle Bedeman: Canadian actor who starred in television shows such as Pour Patricia and Rendez-vous.
• Thomas Bedeman: former Major League pitcher who played for several teams from 1940 to 1944.

Other surnames

Bedemann