This interesting name, with variant forms, Beauchamp, Beachamp, Becom, Beacom, Beachem, and De Beauchamp, is of French locational origin from any of the several places named with the old French "beau", "bel" meaning "fair" and "lovely", plus "champ(s)", field or plain, for example, Beauchamp in La Manche and Somme. The surname was introduced into England by the Normans and the first recorded namebearer, (see below), obtained forty three lordships from William the Conqueror. In early records the name was frequently Latinized as "de Bello Campo".
One, William de Bello Campo appears in the 1161 "Knights' Templars Records of London". In 1203 a Robert de Beauchamp, witness was noted in "The Fine Court Rolls of Essex", and in 1327 Thomas de Becham was entered in the Someset County Rolls. On August 18th 1622 Alice, daughter of John Beacham, was christened in Saint Dunstan's, Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Hugo de Belcamp, which was dated 1086, in the "The Domesday Book for Hertfordshire", during the reign of King William 1, known as the Conqueror, 1066 - 1087. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
The history of the surname beacham is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of beacham. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname beacham is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of beacham.
It is common for surnames like beacham to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname beacham provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname beacham can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of beacham. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname beacham, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of beacham developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname beacham.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname beacham, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about beacham and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all beachams who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname beacham were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname beacham, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname beacham who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname beacham. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of beacham are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of beacham.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of beacham, and at the same time, of surnames in general.