Name Meaning - Bedingfield
The Bedingfield surname is locality in origin, and can be traced to a single founder of the line.There are a number of derivatives including Bedenfields, Bedingfields, Bennafields, Benefields, or Beddingfields .
The Bedingfields are a very old Catholic family. They are first found in England after 1066 with Ogerus de Pugeys de BEDINGFIELD. Ogerus de PUGEYS was a Knight of Lord Malet, Companion to William, the Conqueror, at the Battle of Hastings, in 1066.
The Bedingfield/Pugeys are of Norman descent with their forebears settling in Normandy France along with King Rolo of Norway. Rolo was a Viking leader of the principality of Normandy. The King of France gave Rolo the land of Normandy in an agreement to end the looting of France and to help the King of France from other Vikings attacking France. One of the Lords of Normandy was William, Lord Malet de Greville. Ogerus de Pugeys was a Knight in Lords Malet\'s court. William The Conqueror was the King of the Normandy at this time.
In 1066 when William The Conqueror came over to England Lord Malet and his Knights came with him to fight the Anglo-Saxon King. Lord Malet was first cousin to the King of England\'s (Harold) wife, and was apparently entrusted with the guard of Harold\'s body after he had been slain on the battlefield. After the conquest William was made governor of York Castle and was slain in its defense about 1071. Lord Malet\'s son Robert, possessed at the general survey, thirty-two Lordships in Yorkshire, three in Essex, one in Hampshire, two in Nofts, eight in Lincolshire, and two hundred and twenty one in Suffolk. The near kinsman of this Robert, William Malet, became Lord of the Honor of Eye in Suffolk.
Because Ogerus de Pugeys fought bravely alongside with Lord Malet he was given land in Suffolk, England in an area known as Badyngafelda. Badyngafelda was a pasture or meadow that was primarily used for the grazing of sheep. The son of Ogerus was given the duty of caretaker for the second William Malet of Honor of Eye in Suffolk, England. Ogerus de Pugeys was given the title of Sir Knight Ogerus de Pugeys of Badyngafelda. The name was later changed to de Badyngafelda in recognition of the estate and manor and the de Pugeys was dropped. The family\'s first seat was Flemmings Hall (it is now a farmhouse surrounded by a moat). Around the 1300s the de was dropped, and the family became known simply as Bedingfield.
In the fourteenth century the family divided into two branches, one of which established itself at Ditchingham, the other at Oxburgh in Norfolk, which continues to be the ancestoral home.
The family was staunchly catholic was well respected during Tudor times, with Sir Henry Bedingfield being made governor of the Tower of London during the reign of the Catholic Queen, Mary. He guarded Elizabeth with over a hundred men. He was perhaps overly strict with his young charge, but his vigilance was as much for Elizabeth\'s benefit as for the Queen's. Elizabeth's life was sort by ardent supporters of the Queen, and hidden away in obscurity, Elizabeth may well have been the successful victim of an assassin
Although Bedingfield's constraints irritated her, Elizabeth certainly appears to have appreciated his efforts, affectionately calling him her "gaoler", and when she became Queen, although she dismissed him from court, she bore him no ill will, and teased him that if she should need to keep someone closely confined, she would summon him. She later visited him at Oxborough Hall in 1578.</p>\n\n\n<p>The family continued to be quietly catholic, spending much time on the continent. Henry\'s great grandson, Henry was a support of Charles I in his bid for the throne. He was confined in the Tower for nearly 2 years and his estates were sequestered. They were later restored to his son Henry who was made a baronet in 1660.
The family shield is displayed in spectacular stain glass windows that are part of the St Mary\'s Church in Bedingfield. The shield is not particularly clear in the picture (left), but it consists of an eagle. The family motto is
AQUILA NON CAPTAT MUSCAS
The eagle does not catch flies.
