In the Middle Ages, the first family to use the Billinghame surname took the name from a place name with Viking roots. They lived in the manor of Bellingham in Northumberland
, where the family held this estate since the early Middle Ages. By trade, the family was traditionally foresters, and principally cared for the forest of Tynedale, "for tyme beyond memory". The name literally means "homestead of the dwellers at the bell-shaped hill" and is derived from the Old English words Bell+ ing + ham. CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Early Origins of the Billinghame family
The surname Billinghame was first found in Bellingham, Northumberland
, where Alan of Bellingham was Lord of the manor shortly after the Norman Conquest
in 1066. CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Early records show that there were perpetual feuds between Alan de Bellingham and the Charltons of Hasleyside. It seems that the Charletons were the victor as while they have a mansion near the town, the Bellinghams have pretty much disappeared from the county. Henry Bellingham of Bellingham was made Knight Banneret by King Henry VI after the battle of Wakefield.
Billingham Manor (or Billingham House) is a manor house in Chillerton, on the Isle of Wight that dates back to 1631.
Early History of the Billinghame family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Billinghame research.Another 229 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1597, 1592, 1672, 1605, 1506, 1549, 1511, 1548, 1950 and 1958 are included under the topic Early Billinghame History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Billinghame Spelling Variations
In the Middle Ages, no real standards were established to judge the accuracy of spelling and translation. They were done mostly by ear and intuition, and enormous numbers of spelling variations
were the unsurprising result. Billinghame has appeared as Bellingham, Bellinghame, Belingham, Belinghame, Billingham and many more.
Early Notables of the Billinghame family (pre 1700)
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Billinghame Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Billinghame family to Ireland
Some of the Billinghame family moved to Ireland
, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 266 words (19 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Billinghame family to the New World and Oceana
North America was far from Britain's oppressive monarchy. There, the Scottish found land and freedom, and many even the opportunity to pay back England
in the American War of Independence
. This brave heritage survives today largely in Clan
societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Billinghame family in North America: Richard and William Bellingham who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630; Robert Bellingham arrived in San Francisco, Cal. in 1850; Mary Billingham settled in Maryland in 1741.
The Billinghame Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Ainsi il est
Motto Translation: Thus it is.