Bedell
A surname from the office of a beadle or parish officer, originally meaning someone who served in an official minor role.
The #5,783 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 51,552 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Bedell is generally explained as a form of Beadle, the name for a minor official attached to a court, university, parish, or ward. The word ultimately goes back through Anglo-Norman and Middle English forms to Latin pedellus / bedellus, a title for an officer or messenger. In English surnames, it most likely began as an occupational name for someone who held that office or worked in a similar role.
History
Historical sources treat Bedell as a variant of Beadle, and the surname appears in medieval English records. Spelling was flexible for centuries, so Bedell, Beadle, Biddle, and related forms could overlap in use. The name survives today in several spellings, especially in Britain and the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The office behind this surname was a real job: a beadle could act as an usher, messenger, or parish official in local administration.
From the historical record
“petty officer in parishes. BEDELL. The same as Beadle, of which it is a corruption; an officer belonging to a court, university, ward, or parish. 68 ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY BEDFORD. Local A town and shire in England ; from the Saxon bedan, battle, war, slaughter, and ford, a way or shal- low place for crossing a…”
— An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names