Surname Betts - Meaning and Origin
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Betts: What does the surname Betts mean?
The last name 'Betts' is a patronymic surname, derived from a personal name which was used as a suffix. It originated in England and is derived from the personal name 'Bett', an old-fashioned diminutive of Elizabeth or Elisabeth. It is found in early records in Devonshire, where the family had been seated since the Middle Ages.
The name suggests a family origin of the Norman Conquest, or being a descendant of an emigrant or refugee from Continental Europe, and was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was recorded as 'Betti' in the Domesday Book of 1086 and as 'Bekke' in the 13th century.
The surname Betts is a descriptive name, originating from 'the hill' or 'the hillocks'. The origin of the surname is from the Old English 'beac', meaning beech, and 'hlaga', meaning hill or mount. This suggests that either the original bearer lived on a hill or was associated with one in some way.
Early bearers of the surname Betts include Thomas Betts, who was mentioned in a document from 1273 in VII Placita Coronae Nonacapitularia; William Betts, who was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1327; and Joane Betts, who married Thomas Corde on June 1st 1639 at Saint Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, London.
Order DNA origin analysisBetts: Where does the name Betts come from?
The last name Betts is most common today in the United States, particularly in the Southern and Midwestern states. It is the 1112th most common surname in the United States, according to data collected by the US Census Bureau. The largest concentrations of people bearing the Betts name are found in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Although Betts is common throughout the United States, many people with the surname are also found in other countries throughout the world, especially in Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
In the United Kingdom, the Betts surname is found mostly in the English county of Derbyshire. It is the 1609th most common last name in the UK, where it has been recorded as far back as the 13th century. In other parts of Europe, particularly in Austria and Germany, the spelling is usually rendered “Betz”, while in Italy the surname is commonly translated as “Biz”.
For those who may be interested in researching their Betts ancestry, it is possible to find both historical and contemporary records of the family in many parts of the world. Some of the most popular sources include census and birth records, wills, marriage records, and military records. Additionally, published genealogies, local histories, and other records can provide valuable information about a family’s past.
Variations of the surname Betts
The surname Betts is a patronymic variant of the given name "Bett" or "Bette". The name Bett originates from medieval England and is derived from the name Elizabeth. As a result, many variants of the surname Betts can be found, including Betz, Betzner, Betzold, Betzler, Betzner, Beatz, Bettson, Batt, Batten, Bettinger and Bettson.
The spelling of this name can vary as well, including Bets, Bett, Bette, Beets, Betes, Betts, Bettes, Bueats and Beetes.
The surnames Beattie, Beatty, Beety and Bettie are derivatives of the surname Betts, as they are all derived from the same root name.
Other derivatives of Betts include Betkowski, Betzos, Bezzos, Peys and Peets. Many of these variants are found throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Finland.
The variants of the surname Betts can sometimes be traced back to earlier generations. For example, the surname Betzingen is derived from a place in Germany, while BetkosZky is derived from a region in Poland.
Some variants of the surname Betts may have been altered over the years due to geographic location or other circumstances. For instance, in the United States, some forms of the name may have taken on a different spelling. For example, ‘Betts’ may have become ‘Beetz’ or ‘Beats’, and ‘Bette’ may have become ‘Beatty’ or ‘Beattie’.
Famous people with the name Betts
- Buffy Sainte-Marie: singer-songwriter, musician, composer, visual artist, educator, pacifist, and social activist
- Adam Betts: British drummer, programmer, and producer
- Kevin Betts: American football linebackers coach
- Amy Betts: American professional triathlete
- Cori Betts: American swimmer
- William Betts: Major League Baseball outfielder
- Chris Betts: American baseball player
- Bette Gaye Betts: American musician, songwriter, and producer
- Becca Betts: British stand-up comedian and actor
- Dave Betts: American ice hockey defenceman
- Harry Betts: famous jazz trombonist and arranger
- Kayla Betts: Women's flat track Derby Association skater
- Shane Betts: Canadian freestyle skier
- Olivia Betts: British theatre actress
- Anna Betts: American model and Instagram star
- Billy Betts: American professional golfer
- Joanne Betts: Canadian model and actress
- Abbey Betts: British professional soccer player
- Eric Betts: American film and television director
- Jon Betts: American photographer, artist, and mathematics teacher