Belcher

Belcher
This most interesting surname is of Old French origin, and originated as a nickname for someone of a cheerful, pleasant demeanour or disposition, or for someone considered to be good looking, derived from the Old French elements "beu, bel", fair, lovely and "chere", face, countenance. Variants of the surname in the modern idiom include Belsher, Belshaw, Beuscher, Beaushaw, Bewshire, Bewshaw, Bewshea, Beushaw and Bowsher. The name is also found in the York cycle of Medieval Mystery Plays as a term of address, often derogatory: Herod addresses a messenger, "Bewcher! wele ye be", and when Annas orders a boy who has been bound to be brought in, the soldier announces, "Lo, here is the belschere broght that ye bad bring". The surname is one of only a few names which have retained their original spelling since the first recordings in the early 13th Century (see below). Richard Belecher is recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1275, and Alexander Belcher is mentioned in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1453. Jonathan Belcher (1682 - 1757) was governor of Massachusetts Colony (1729 - 1741), and was one of the founders of Princeton University. He was a wealthy merchant, having inherited a substantial fortune from his father, Andrew Belcher (died 1717). The family were established there by Andrew Belcher in 1654. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Belcher, which was dated 1219, witness in the "Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire", 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Belcher — is of French origin People* Alexander Emerson Belcher, first mayor of Southampton ON, Canada * Andrew Belcher (1706 1771), colonial Bostonian who served on the Massachusetts Council * Angela Belcher, biochemist and materials scientist * Sir… …   Wikipedia

  • Belcher — ist der Name mehrerer Orte in den Vereinigten Staaten: Belcher (Arkansas) Belcher (Kentucky) Belcher (Louisiana) Belcher (New York) Belcher Crossroads (South Carolina) Belcher Square (Massachusetts) Personen: Edward Belcher (1799–1877),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Belcher — Belcher, LA U.S. village in Louisiana Population (2000): 272 Housing Units (2000): 107 Land area (2000): 1.557128 sq. miles (4.032942 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 1.557128 sq. miles (4.032942… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Belcher, LA — U.S. village in Louisiana Population (2000): 272 Housing Units (2000): 107 Land area (2000): 1.557128 sq. miles (4.032942 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 1.557128 sq. miles (4.032942 sq. km) FIPS …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Belcher — Belch er, n. One who, or that which, belches. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Belcher [1] — Belcher, 1) Insel im Großen Ocean, von Eingeborenen bewohnt, erzeugt Cocos u. Pandanusnüsse, Pisang u. Zuckerrohr; 2) Cap an der russischen Küste von NAmerika …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Belcher [2] — Belcher, Mistreß, s. O Neil …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Belcher — (spr. béltscher), Sir Edward, engl. Seefahrer, geb. 1799, gest. 18. März 1877 in London, begleitete 1825 den Kapitän Beechey nach der Beringstraße, machte 1836–42 eine Reise um die Erde, war 1843–46 mit Aufnahmen im Indischen Ozean beschäftigt,… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Belcher —   [ beltʃə], Sir Edward, britischer Seefahrer und Konteradmiral (seit 1872), * Halifax (Nova Scotia) 1799, ✝ London 18. 3. 1877; nahm 1825 28 an F. W. Beecheys Expedition zur Beringstraße teil, bereiste 1830 33 die Nord und Westküste Afrikas und… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • belcher — [“belt/a* ] 1. n. a beer drinker. □ Look at the belly on that belcher! □ Harry is a confirmed belcher. 2. n. a hard drinker; a drunkard. □ A couple of belchers wandered in about midnight. Other than that, the night is dead …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

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