Surname Bedwell - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Bedwell: What does the surname Bedwell mean?
The surname Bedwell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is locational, derived from a place named Bedwell in Hertfordshire, England. The name Bedwell is made up of two Old English words: "bedd" which means a "bed" or a "planting area" and "wella" or "wiella" which means a "spring" or a "stream." Hence, Bedwell can be interpreted to mean "stream where herbs grow" or "bed by the stream." During the Middle Ages, as families moved in search of work, they often adopted their place name as a surname, resulting in a wide dissemination of the name. The surname was first recorded in the 13th century. Like other surnames, different branches of the family spelled it according to their preference, leading to variations such as Bedel, Bedell, and Beddle. Through the generations, family members bearing this surname have ventured to other lands, carrying the name with them. Today, it is found not only in the United Kingdom but also in other English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisBedwell: Where does the name Bedwell come from?
The surname Bedwell is of British origin and is classified as a locational surname, typically derived from a physical or geographical locale. The name Bedwell can be traced back to the Old English words "bedu" meaning "prayer", or "bead" and "wella" meaning "spring" or "stream". Thus, it probably referred to someone living by a spring or stream where prayers were offered or near a bead-well.
The earliest references to the Bedwell name can be found in Hertfordshire, England, in the early 13th century. Bedwell is also the name of several English localities, including a hamlet in Hertfordshire, suggesting the name might have been assigned to individuals based on their residence or origin from those areas.
Nowadays, the Bedwell surname has spread from the British Isles to continents like North America and Australasia due to migration and colonization. It is more common in English-speaking countries like England, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Bedwell
The surname Bedwell has numerous variations, spellings, and is connected to other surnames through shared lineage or origin. These variants and surnames of the same origin include Bedell, Bedwill, Bedwelle, Bedewell, Bedwel, Bidwell, Bidewell, Bedel and Beadwell.
One of the main reasons for these variations is due to the phonetic spelling in earlier times when literacy was not common. Often, surnames were spelled differently in different documents or records pertaining to the same person.
The surname originates from the English roots 'bedd' meaning bed and 'wyll' meaning well or spring, implying an original habitation near a well or spring by a riverbed.
It is also associated with the surname Bedel, which was an official in the universities and churches of the Middle Ages in England and subsequently became a surname for the descendants.
While it's considered an English surname, the Bedwell surname is also found in other parts of the British Isles, and in countries where English-speaking people have migrated, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Due to these migrations, additional variations may exist in these countries.
Famous people with the name Bedwell
- Timothy Bedwell: A globally known magician and corporate entertainer from America.
- Richard Bedwell: An accomplished music composer from the United Kingdom who has worked in the film and television industry.
- Daniel Bedwell: A former professional soccer player from Australia who played as a midfielder for the Western Sydney Wanderers.
- Beverly Bedwell: A professional ballet dancer turned psychotherapist, who has gained recognition for her work in mental health.
- Mark Bedwell: A British entrepreneur known for his innovative contributions to the technology sector.
- Megan Bedwell: An Australian actress prominently known for her work in theatre and television.
- Rick Bedwell: A notable American golf professional, he has participated in various international tournaments.
- Scott Bedwell: An Australian rugby player who has gained fame playing in the National Rugby League.
- Alan Bedwell: A well-known British footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs like Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bradford City.
- Sarah Bedwell: An influential education blogger and teacher from the UK, known for her works on learning and teaching strategies. Please note that this list may contain individuals who are not globally recognized, and some might be known prominently within their respective fields or countries.