Surname Beston - Meaning and Origin
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Beston: What does the surname Beston mean?
The last name Beston is believed to originate from Anglo-Saxon origins, and is located predominantly in the south-east of England. The original meaning of the name is believed to be derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century word 'Bes', which translates as 'stunted', or 'small', and 'tun', which translates as 'enclosure', or 'settlement'. This suggests that the original bearer of the name Beston was likely the inhabitant of an area which was smaller than average or had limited resources.
The areas of England mainly associated with the surname Beston are Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, and Somerset in the south-east of England. In other areas of the country, such as Northumberland, the surname is virtually unknown. Records of the name have been found in the Voter’s lists of London, county records from Buckinghamshire, parish records from Gloucester, and even in wills.
Over the course of time, the spelling of the last name Beston has been known to change. Common variants of the name in its various forms include Biston, Beston, Beeston, Beiston, and Besten.
Historically, the surname was most associated with agriculture and in rural occupations such as farming. In later years, however, many members of the Beston family have achieved success in a variety of professional fields, such as the civil services, medical profession, and law.
Order DNA origin analysisBeston: Where does the name Beston come from?
The last name Beston is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom and parts of Europe. It is a name of English origin, primarily found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire. It can also be found in other European countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
In the United States, Beston is generally a rare name, though there are some individuals located in Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. It can also be found in Canada and Australia.
Research indicates that the surname Beston was derived from a location, and likely referred to those who lived near a regional landmark. “Beston” was derived from “bestedon”, or “the settlement within the birch-trees”.
The name Beston was likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘bestedan’, which means ‘dwell in, live at or near’. During the Middle Ages, the surname was commonly used to distinguish between localities with the same name.
Today, the name Beston is most highly concentrated in the United Kingdom, with Oxfordshire having the largest population of people with the last name. In the United States, the name is still relatively rare with only a few hundred individuals who still carry the surname.
Variations of the surname Beston
Beston is a variant of the English surname, Bester. There are a variety of spellings and surnames that may have stemmed from the same origins as Beston.
The following are some of the variants and spellings of the surname Beston:
Beeston, Beiston, Beystoun, Beston, Bistun, Bistoun, Biston, Bistoun, Biston, Bixton, Bixtun, Bixtoun, Byston, Bystun, Bystoun.
Additionally, the following are some of the surnames that may have the same origin as Beston:
Best, Bester, Bister, Bistre, Borst, Bost, Boste, Bosten, Byst, Byster, Bystre, and Bysten.
Beston, Bester and other similar surnames have a common meaning: "one who dwells at the outer enclosure or by the enclosure," derived from the Old English term bīecestune, ultimately meaning "‘enclosed settlement or farm.”
The surname Beston can be found in records dating back to the 16th century, primarily in the counties of Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall in England.
Beston has also become a popular given name in recent years. Variations of the given name include Bestin, Bestyn, Biston, and Bysten.
Beston is not especially common in the United States but it does exist in parts of East Anglia in the UK and is likely to be found among English-speakers in other countries as well.
Famous people with the name Beston
- Emma Beston: an actress, known for her roles in “The Crown”, “I, Tonya” and “Killing Eve”.
- Jack Beston: an Australian writer and playwright.
- Julian Beston: an historian and author, specialising in the history of English architecture.
- Richard Beston: a well-known British actor, best known for his roles on the classic BBC sitcom “The Good Life”.
- Stanley Beston: a prominent researcher into the effects of sun exposure and vitamin D on human health.
- Tony Beston: an Australian film director and producer, best known for his films “The Man from Snowy River” and “Rob Roy”.
- William Beston: an English classical scholar and poet, remembered best for his translations of works by authors such as Cicero, Livy and Pliny.
- Robert Beston: a British sculptor, best known for his large-scale public sculptures, such as “Women of the Revolution” in Manchester’s Albert Square.
- Marcus Beston: an American businessman, investor and philanthropist.
- Jonathan Beston: a British neurologist, neuropsychologist, and academic, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.