Surname Batemen - Meaning and Origin
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Batemen: What does the surname Batemen mean?
The surname Batemen is of Old English origin, derived from the occupation of a person. It literally translates to 'bateman' or 'boatman', which suggests that the initial bearers of this surname were involved in professions related to boats like sailing, fishing, or boat-making. This occupational surname was often given to individuals or families based on their job or trade. Consequently, tracing back the initial bearers of the Batemen surname would likely lead to individuals or communities working in professions close to a water body. Like other occupational surnames, it served as an identifier, highlighting the primary occupation of the person. Over the years, the surname Batemen was passed down the generations and spread across different regions, diversifying in its spelling and pronunciation.
Order DNA origin analysisBatemen: Where does the name Batemen come from?
The surname Batemen is of Anglo-Saxon origin and first found in the counties of Hampshire, Cornwall and Yorkshire in England. The name is derived from 'bateman,' a term referring to a servant or 'bait' attendant, from the Old English 'batian' meaning 'to feed' or 'bait', plus 'mann', man. Therefore, this could be an occupational surname for someone who looked after animals.
Bateman is not a very common surname, but it's mostly found amongst English-speaking populations. Today, it is fairly common in England, Australia, and the United States. In the US, it is most prevalent in the states of Utah and Idaho. Despite its rarity, it’s associated with several noteworthy individuals, such as actor Jason Bateman. Overall, the distribution remains largely faithful to its English-speaking roots.
Variations of the surname Batemen
The surname Batemen has a few variants, alternative spellings including Bateman, Batteman, Batement. It may also be abbreviated to Bates. In some cases, it can be confused or interchanged with the surname Pateman. There are also instances where the name Bateman expands to Bateyman or Batyman.
The origins of this surname are English and it derives from the medieval personal name Bateman which means 'servant of Bartholomew'. Bartholomew itself is a biblical name meaning 'son of Talmai' or 'son of the furrows'. In some cases, the surname can be traced back to the Old English 'bætmann', a term denoting a boatswain, which later evolved into Bateman.
Despite its English roots, the surname also found prevalence in Ireland under the anglicized version Báiteamán from the Irish Ó Báiteamáin. Similarly, due to emigration, you may find occurrences of this surname in regions like the USA, Australia and Canada, albeit less frequently.
Bate and Bates are also surnames, but they have a different origin, as they derive from the old English personal Batte, a pet-form of Bartholomew. However, they are today often associated and confused with Bateman and Batemen.
Famous people with the name Batemen
- Jason Bateman: An American actor, director, and producer known for roles in TV series such as "Arrested Development" and "Ozark".
- Justine Bateman: An American actress, writer, and producer, she is best known for her role in "Family Ties" and is the sister of Jason Bateman.
- Robert Bateman: A Canadian naturalist and painter, he is one of the most celebrated wildlife artists.
- Laura Bateman: Australian cricketer, who has played for teams such as Western Fury and Western Australia's Women Cricket team.
- Charles Bateman: An American actor notable for his works on stages and TV series during the 1960s and 70s.
- Jenny Bateman: A British writer and filmmaker known for scripts that revolve around human relationships and social issues. Please note that the spelling of the last name might vary in some cases. For example, "Bateman" and "Batemen". However, "Bateman" is considered a more accurate and common spelling for the surname.