Beaton, or Bethune. From the Carlovingian Counts of Artois. The Duke of Sully (Sully's "Memoirs") was of this family.
Beauchamp, from Beauchamp in the Cotentin. The same race as the Meurdracs, the Montagues and the Grenvilles. A familiar old-time name in Kentucky that has always appealed to lovers and writers of romance—notably to Charles Fenno Hoffman and William Gilmore Simms. "This illustrious name," says Lower, "is found in many countries of Europe; in Scotland, as Campbell; in England, as Fairfield; in Germany, as Schönau; and in Italy as Campobello." It was introduced into England at the Norman Conquest by Hugh de Belchamp, or Beauchamp, or de Bello Campo. Beauchamp is pronounced Beecham in England.
Beaufoy, from Beaufay, near Alençon, Normandy, 1180. John de Beaufoy, England, 1320.
Beaumont, or Bayard. Two lines in England. One of the Beaumonts held the Castle of St. Luzanne for two years against William the Conqueror.
Beaver, for Bever.
Beavill, or Beville, from Beaville, near Caen, England, 1086 (Domesday).
Beavis, armorially identified with Beaufiz, England, 1316.
Becket, or Beckett. In 1180, Malger Bechet, Rouen, John and William Beket or Bekeit, 1198. Ibid. Thomas Beket's father was of Caen. Ralph de Beket, England, 1272; hence Thomas, the famous Archbishop of Canterbury.
Becks, for Beck. Vide Beach.
Beckwith, adopted in lieu of the original Norman name of Malbisse (Lower).