406 Global BELSHAW Family Members

BELSHAW Family History

This most interesting surname is of Old French origin, and originated as a nickname for someone of a cheerful, pleasant demeanour or disposition, or for someone considered to be good looking, derived from the Old French elements "beu, bel", fair, lovely and "chere", face, countenance. Variants of the surname in the modern idiom include Belsher, Belshaw, Beuscher, Beaushaw, Bewshire, Bewshaw, Bewshea, Beushaw and Bowsher. The name is also found in the York cycle of Medieval Mystery Plays as a term of address, often derogatory: Herod addresses a messenger, "Bewcher! wele ye be", and when Annas orders a boy who has been bound to be brought in, the soldier announces, "Lo, here is the belschere broght that ye bad bring".