Bedder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Bedder

What does the name Bedder mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Bedder comes from its first bearer, who was a coppersmith or a dealer in baterie. The surname Bedder is possibly derived from the Old French word bateor, meaning one who beats, a term which has been applied to a beater of cloth or fuller. The surname may also be a short form of the word orbatour, which means a beater of gold.

Early Origins of the Bedder family

The surname Bedder was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Bedder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bedder research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1200, 1273, 1349, 1369, 1635, 1710 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Bedder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bedder Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Bedder has been spelled many different ways, including Beater, Beeter, Beatere, Betere, Batere, Bettere and many more.

Early Notables of the Bedder family

Distinguished members of the family include Richard Batere, a prominent 12th century landholder in Berkshire; and Thomas Patrick Betterton (ca. 1635 - 1710), English actor buried in Westminster Abbey. He "was born in Tothill Street, Westminster, and was apprenticed by his father, who was under-cook to Charles I, to a bookseller. These are...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bedder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bedder family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Bedders to arrive in North America: Charles Bater who arrived in Virgina in 1642. Thomas Bater sailed to America in 1772.