Belview, co. fermanagh, granted 1819; Overton, co. York; Bourne Park, Kent; Thirsk Gall, co. York; Woolsington Hall,Northumberland; Sunderland, co. Durham; Berkshire and Buckinghamshire; Exxex; Essex; Glouchestershire; Jamaica; London; Haughley, co. Suffolk; Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, who d. 1577; London; Newcastle; Fawe Park, CO. Cumberland; Northumberland and Cumberland; Westmoreland and Cumberland; Kirkconnel, co. Dumfries; Provosthaugh, co. Dumfries; Ealing, 1782; Fortoun, co. Haddington, 1855; Beaupre Hall, CO. Norfolk; Yorkshire.
That most of these families were derived from a common stock is shown by the fact that a common feature of their Coats of Arms was three bells, and of their crests a hawk belled.
The following is quoted from reliable authorities regarding the origin, meaning, etc., of the name ” Bell “: ” Bell : Bellot, Bellison, Izod . . . Isabel, etc., are all supposed to represent the offspring of Isabella or Islot, its diminu tive. Bell and Bellot may more probably come from the shop or tavern sign.” ” Bell : Those who carried off the bell or prize, when used as a sign or as an armorial bearing.” ” Norman : La Bel; Old French: Le Bel (for `fine’ or ‘handsome’); Old Norse: Beli; Frisian: Bela, Bel, Bele; Swedish: Bell ; Dutch: Bel; Flemish: Baele, Beli.”
The Bell family has been prominent in the British Empire and in America , its members having played important roles in war and in peace. Family pride is a commendable trait and should be cultivated. All Bells have just caused to be proud of their family history and traditions.
Unless otherwise plainly shown, the persons in this volume whose names are accompanied by three figures are sons or daughters of the immediately preceding persons bearing immediately preceding consecutive numbers. All persons in each group, bearing the same letter as a part of their respective numbers are directly related. The generations of the descendants of those bearing numbers of three figures are represented as follows:
Generations ……. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Symbols………. (1), etc. (A), etc. (a), etc.1, etc. A, etc.
Generations …….6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
Symbols……….. a, etc. (I), etc. (1), etc.I, etc. i, etc.
Abbreviations: ad., address; b., born; ch., children; coil., college; d., died; d.y., died young; d.w.i., died without issue; dau., daughter; grad., graduated; 1., lives, lived; m., married, moved; s., son; univ., university.
The data in this volume is gathered from reliable sources. Members of the family who have important Bell data are requested to send copies of it to the compiler. The compiler and his associates will be glad to lend their co-operation to any members of the family who may be interested in publishing a complete history of the Bell family.
The compiler hopes that, in producing this volume he is bringing to the Bell family of the world, information which will be of interest and value to them, and that he is rendering a valuable service to the public.
J. Montgomery Seaver, Compiler.