Beaston

The surname BEASTON is of English origin, and it is believed to have originated in the early medieval period, sometime around the 12th or 13th century. It is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place called Beeston, which was a small village or hamlet located in various counties across England, including Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Norfolk, and Nottinghamshire.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname BEASTON can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire, a census-like record compiled in 1273 during the reign of King Edward I. This document mentions a person named John de Beston, which is likely an early spelling variation of the surname BEASTON.

In the 14th century, the surname BEASTON appeared in various tax records and legal documents across England. For instance, the Subsidy Rolls of Nottinghamshire from 1327 list a Robert de Beston, while the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire from 1348 mention a William de Beston.

The origin of the name BEASTON can be traced back to the Old English words "beo" or "beo-cyn," meaning "bee," and "tun," meaning "village" or "farm." Thus, the name BEASTON likely referred to someone who lived in a village or settlement known for beekeeping or honey production.

One notable historical figure with the surname BEASTON was Sir William Beaston (c. 1450-1524), a English courtier and diplomat who served under King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. He was appointed as the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and acted as an ambassador to various European courts.

Another individual of note was Robert Beaston (c. 1560-1635), an English clergyman and scholar who served as the Rector of Staveley in Derbyshire and was known for his works on theology and biblical exegesis.

In the 17th century, the BEASTON surname can be found in the records of the Virginia Company, which established the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown in 1607. One such record mentions a Thomas Beaston, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 as an indentured servant.

During the English Civil War in the mid-17th century, a prominent figure with the surname BEASTON was Colonel John Beaston (c. 1610-1670), a Parliamentarian officer who fought for the Parliamentarian forces against King Charles I.

In the 18th century, the BEASTON surname was associated with a notable family of landowners and gentry in Gloucestershire, England. One member of this family was Sir Robert Beaston (1720-1798), who served as the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1768.