Origin of the surname Bidwell

This surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from any of the various places named with the Olde English pre 7th Century "byden", vessel, tub (used here in the transferred topographical sense of "shallow valley"), and "well(a)", spring, stream; hence, "stream in a valley". These places include: Bedwell in Hertfordshire, recorded as "Bedewell" in 1240 and as "Bidewell" circa 1330, and Bidwell near Dunstable (Bedfordshire), appearing as "Budewelle" in the 1228 Feet of Fines for that county, and as "Bedewell" in the Hundred Rolls of 1279.

Locational surnames, such as this, were originally given to local landowners, and the lord of the manor, and especially as a means of identification to those former inhabitants who left their place of origin to settle elsewhere. In the modern idiom the surname has four spelling variations: Bedwell, Bidwell, Biddwell and Bidewel. On September 18th 1739, John Bidwell and Mary Whitebread were married in Woburn, Bedfordshire. A Coat of Arms granted to the Bidwell family is divided per saltire gold and red, with four roundles, each charged with a martlet all counterchanged, the Crest being a hand in fesse couped holding a curling stone. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Stephen de Bedewell, which was dated 1229, in the "Close Rolls of Essex", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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 surname Bidwell. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Discovering the historical roots of bidwell is deeply interesting, as it takes us back to the ancestors and relatives who established this lineage. The history of the surname bidwell is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of bidwell.

The surname Bidwell around the world

Although surnames have a specific origin at a certain time and region of the planet, many of them have spread far and wide across the world for various reasons, as is the case with the surname bidwell. It is common for surnames like bidwell to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones.

History of Bidwell

The historical chronicle of bidwell is based on a striking series of events that were led by those who have carried this surname throughout history. The historical journey of the surname bidwell can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of bidwell.

We suggest that if you want to learn more about the surname bidwell, try to locate it through the bibliographic sources we suggest. You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname bidwell, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames.

Notable Figures Named Bidwell

It's more than likely that there have been some distinguished bidwells throughout human history. Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all bidwells who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records.

The surname Bidwell and its bibliographic sources

Thanks to a significant bibliographic review, we have so far compiled information on the heraldry, history, and genealogy of bidwell. It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname bidwell.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of bidwell, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Bidwell