Surname Beakey - Meaning and Origin

Beakey: What does the surname Beakey mean?

The last name Beakey is a surname believed to be of English origin. The name is believed to be derived from the Old English word ‘beac’ which means ‘dweller by the beech tree’. It might also have been a nickname derived from an animal found in a beech forest such as a woodpecker or a badger.

The name has developed a variety of forms over the centuries. The surname can be found in various records from the 12th century onward, including the 1202 Freemen of Yorkshire Lists, where the name is spelled as Bianchi. It was also recorded as Beke in the 1273 Subsidy Rolls of Surrey, and as Beakey in 1596 in Sussex records.

In the 1800s, there were records of the name Beakey in Scotland and the northeast of England. In Scotland, it was mainly found in the county of Angus. It was also popular in Yorkshire, particularly in the small village of Austonley.

Despite originating in England, the surname Beakey can now be found all over the world. There are families bearing the name in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

So, the last name Beakey likely originated from the Middle English word ‘beac’, meaning ‘dweller by the beech tree’. Its form has evolved over the centuries, and it can now be found around the world.

Beakey: Where does the name Beakey come from?

The last name Beakey is most commonly found today in the United States. Beakey is an English surname of Norman origin that means "maker of barrel hoops, cooper." It is likely Beakey was a occupational name referring to those who made and/or sold barrels and barrels hoops.

Beakey is not a common last name in the United States; the 2000 census found that the number of Americans with the last name Beakey was 1,333. The number of people in the United States having the last name Beakey was significantly higher in the 1800s–the 1880 US Federal Census showed that there were over 3,000 people with the last name Beakey. The distribution of the Beakey surname today is concentrated in the Midwest and Appalachia regions of the country, with the largest concentration in Ohio.

The last name Beakey is also found, but is much rarer, in England, Ireland, Canada, and Australia, but is often spelled a variety of ways including Beake, Beakey, Beaki, Beckey, and Bakey. In England, the last name Beakey was found primarily in the north, although an increased concentration could be seen in the north-west of the country.

Overall, it appears that the last name Beakey can trace its origins to England and Europe, but today is most commonly found in the United States.

Variations of the surname Beakey

The surname Beakey is a variant of the English surname Beaky or Beakey, which originated in the region of Cornwall, England. The primary spelling of the surname is Beakey, but there are also variants, including Beaca, Beai, Beaky, Becci, Beek, Beechey, Beeky, and Bekey.

Beakey likely derived from the English dialect name "Beaked" or "Beecheye," meaning "beaked-eye," referring to a bird's eye or shortsighted person. In some cases, Beakey may have come from a Welsh patronymic surname derived from the personal names Becca or Beka, a form of Rebecca.

Despite the fact that there are a number of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, Beakey remains the most common spelling. As an Anglo-Saxon or Welsh surname, it is also the most popular variant.

In other variants, the Beakey name may appear under spellings such as Beaca, Beai, Beaky, Becci, Beek, Beechey, Beeky, or Bekey. Each of these variants retains its own unique characteristics and may have come from a separate origin such as a patronymic or geographic origin.

Famous people with the name Beakey

• John Beakey: former British musician and composer, best known for his work with the Mike Oldfield Band
• Andrew Beakey: British actor, best remembered for his role in the popular television series, 'The Bill'
• Rebecca Beakey: professional dancer, most notably for her role in the all-girl group 'Honeysuckle&Tickles'
• Stuart Beakey: British sound engineer, known for working on some of Sir Paul McCartney and Queen's albums
• Chris Beakey: US actor, well-known for his roles in 'Highlander' and 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park'
• Steven Beakey: artist, most famous for his illustrations in the well-known children's book series 'The Magic Treehouse'
• Joan Beakey: British landscape painter, renowned for her richly coloured and intensely detailed paintings
• Barry Beakey: British rugby coach, most notably for his work with the England national team
• Christian Beakey: professional stuntman, well-known for his work in films such as 'Blade Runner 2049' and 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'
• Rusty Beakey: former professional hockey player, who played with the Chicago Blackhawks team in the late 80s and early 90s

Other surnames

BeakerBeakes