Surname Bidwell - Meaning and Origin
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Bidwell: What does the surname Bidwell mean?
The last name Bidwell is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name translates to either “at the well” or “by the well.” It is believed that this surname was given to someone who lived near a well or just a well builder. Over the years the variant spellings of the surname Bidwell have ebbed and flowed in usage. Variations of the last include Bidwall, Bedwell, Beddall or Bidewell.
This last name is found mostly in England and Wales and is particularly common in counties such as Kent, Surrey, London and Essex, according to the Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. It's important to note that while the surname is found in England, it is believed to have first emerged in the northern part of the country with the oldest recorded mention taking place in the county of Cumberland, England in 1379.
Throughout the centuries many members of the Bidwell family migrated to other countries such as Ireland, Scotland and some countries in Europe. Even parts of the United States like Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania have welcomed this surname over the years.
In modern times, the Bidwell surname is still in usage and is enjoying a higher population rate than ever before. It is generally a respected surname, one with a clear and interesting history.
Order DNA origin analysisBidwell: Where does the name Bidwell come from?
The last name Bidwell is not a particularly common name in the United States. According to the U.S. census, there were 4,032 people in the U.S. with this last name. The most residents with this last name were in California (15.83 percent), followed by Massachusetts (7.18 percent) and New York (5.69 percent).
This is part of a wider trend of the last name being relatively rare in the U.S. today. Bidwells have been living in the United States since the 1600s, when they first arrived from England. They originally settled in Massachusetts and then moved around the country, eventually ending up in California, where they are still found mainly today.
The Bidwell family is traditionally notable for a number of reasons. Most notably, John Bidwell was a prominent figure in the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century. He was one of the founders of the city of Chico, California and established the first cross-country wagon route. The Bidwell family has also made its way into popular culture, appearing in a number of works of fiction, such as the television show West Wing and the novels The Catcher in the Rye and Revolutionary Road.
Today, the last name Bidwell is still found mainly in California, albeit in relatively small numbers. Other states also have a sprinkling of Bidwells as well, although none so much as California. The Bidwells have had a long and distinguished history in the U.S., and although their numbers may be few in comparison to many other surnames, they have still managed to carve out a respected place in American society.
Variations of the surname Bidwell
The surname Bidwell is derived from the Middle English personal name Biddewell, from the Old English words biddan meaning “to ask or entreat” and wella meaning “spring” or “stream”. The surname can have various variant spellings including Bidwel, Biddel, Biddle, and Biddell.
In the United States, Bidwell is one of the most common surnames, ranking among the top thousand surnames in both the 2000 and 2010 census. This surname is especially common across the Northeastern US, particularly in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Other variants of the surname include Bidwill, Bidwillie, Bidwille, Biddill, Biddlel, and Biddlell. Other surnames which are related to the surname Bidwell through a common root include Bewell, Bevill, Bilton, Bildon, Bydlinski, and Bathwell.
Bidwell is also thought to be associated with other surnames which feature the ‘bi-’ prefix, such as Biddlecome, Bifield, Binsley, Binkle, Bremble, Biber, Brindle, and Birkett.
The surname Bidwell is both a primary and secondary name in certain genealogical records. This could indicate that the family originated with two different families, who both later adopted the same surname. However, it is also possible that the Bidwell family derived solely from a single origin.
Famous people with the name Bidwell
- Gavin Bidwell: British actor best known for appearances on Marco Polo (2014-2016) and Hollyoaks (2006-2012).
- Dan Bidwell: American journalist and host known for stints as a reporter and anchor on various news programs across the United States.
- John Bidwell: American pioneer, military wartime governor, and politician who is associated with California and Montana history.
- Jai Bidwell: Australian television presenter and actor, best known for roles in Neighbors (2005-2008) and Home and Away (2013).
- Steve Bidwell: British television director and producer, widely known for his work on the series Cold Feet (1997-2003).
- Prentiss D. 'Pres' Bidwell: American entrepreneur and founder of Microchip Technology, a semiconductor device manufacturer.
- David Bidwell: American football player who played for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL) from 1981 to 1989.
- Robert B. Bidwell: American lawyer and conservationist who co-founded The Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s largest environmental organizations.
- Frank L. Bidwell: United States Navy Rear Admiral and Director of the Naval Material Control Office from 1927 to 1930.
- Stephen Bidwell Renfrew III: American poet and author known for works The Human Season (1950) and Half Life (1955).