Surname Beakhurst - Meaning and Origin
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Beakhurst: What does the surname Beakhurst mean?
The last name Beakhurst is an English surname of Norman French origin and can be found in records dating back to the 13th century.
The name is derived from the Old French-Norman words ‘bek’, meaning a peak, and ‘hurs’, meaning hoarse or shrill. This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have lived near or on a hilltop, and when they went to issue orders, their voice could be heard over a large distance.
The name Beakhurst is found in counties across Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Lancashire. It is believed to have originated in the county of Lancashire. As the surname of Beakhurst spread across the country, various variations of the name began to emerge. These include Beakhurst, Beakherst, and Bickerstaffe.
The Beakhurst surname remains uncommon in the United Kingdom today and is largely confined to these areas. The core counties of Kent and Lancashire have the highest concentration of the Beakhurst name in the UK, with the remaining counties having much smaller numbers.
To this day, the meaning and origin of the Beakhurst surname remain largely unknown and continue to draw speculation from genealogists and researchers alike.
Order DNA origin analysisBeakhurst: Where does the name Beakhurst come from?
The last name Beakhurst can be found around the world today but is most commonly found in areas of the United Kingdom. It is especially common in the south-eastern corner of England, including the counties of Surrey, Kent, and Sussex.
In the United States, the last name Beakhurst is found primarily in the states of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. There are also some scattered clusters of Beakhursts in states such as Ohio, Maryland, and California.
The family typically originated from Surrey, England and were historically linked to the rural farming communities of the area. Records indicate that the family has been living in the region for centuries, and its members have likely been involved in agriculture in one way or another.
Today, the Beakhursts are found in all walks of life, although many still work in agricultural fields such as farming, horticulture, and food production. They are also found in professions such as business, education, and the military.
Overall, the Beakhurst family continues to thrive across the United Kingdom and the United States today. Many trace their roots back to the south-east of England which is still home to some of the largest concentrations of the Beakhurst surname.
Variations of the surname Beakhurst
The surname Beakhurst has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the more common variants include Beakhurst, Berkhurst, Beakhourst, Beakham, Bakham, Beakhams, Bakhams, Becherst, Beacher, Bacherst, Beacherst, Backhurst, and Backherst.
The spelling of the surname Beakhurst has been found as early as the mid-1500s in England and is believed to be of Norman origins. It is derived from the Old French “bachelier”, or “bachelor”, and likely refers to a student or scholar who never married. It is possible that someone bearing this name may have been a student or teacher at an early English educational institution, or perhaps an unmarried cleric.
Other related surnames include Beake, Beecher, Beker, Bekker, Banker, Barker, and Berkheimer. Beakhurst is also a habitational name from places such as Berkhurst in the English county Surrey, and Beachem in Dorset.
Unlike some surnames, the spelling of Beakhurst has remained fairly consistent over the centuries and it is possible to trace family relationships between different branches of the same family name. In addition, there are a few rare variants of this name which may indicate a separate family line. These include Baddacrust, Badancrust, Batchelor, and Packhurst.
Famous people with the name Beakhurst
- William Beakhurst (British politician)
- Doris Beakhurst (Canadian radio actor)
- John Beakhurst (British Army General and doctor)
- Catherine Beakhurst (American politician)
- Lucinda Beakhurst (British model and actress)
- William Beakhurst (English poet)
- William Beakhurst (Irish soldier)
- Thomas Beakhurst (English politician)
- Elizabeth Beakhurst (English businesswoman and socialite)
- Susan Beakhurst (Australian photographer)