Bedward

This interesting surname is of Welsh origin, and is a patronymic of the male given name Edward. Beddard and Bedward are created from the fusion of the Welsh "ap", son of, with Edward. The Middle English personal name "Edward", derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Eadward", composed of the elements "ead", prosperity, fortune, with "w(e)ard", guard. Although apparently of exclusively Olde English origin, the given name also became popular on the Continent, perhaps as a result of the fame of two canonized kings of England, Edward the Martyr (962 - 979) and Edward the Confessor (1004 - 1066). They certainly contributed largely to its great popularity all over Britain. Patronymic surnames were created as European society has been almost invariably patriarchal throughout history, and as a result, the given name of the male head of the household has been handed on as a distinguishing name to successive generations. Recordings of the surname from English Church Registers include; the christening of Frauncis, son of Roger and Jane Beddard, on February 28th 1619 at Albrighton near Wolverhampton, Shropshire; the christening of Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Mary Beddard, on April 17th 1678, at Cirencester, Gloucestershire; and the marriage of James Beddard and Sarah Allworth on January 10th 1683 at St. James', Duke's Place, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Edward Beddard, which was dated June 9th 1594, witness at a christening at St. Giles Cripplegate, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. 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.