There are two probable derivations for this name which can either be job descriptive or personal. In the former case it is of Olde German origin, the meaning being similar to the Anglo-French "Barber" i.e one who undertook blood letting and dentistry in addition to mere hair cutting. The second is personal and derives from the Olde English "Beda" a name which probably meant "bud" as in "Rose Bud" - a term of endearment. The final definition would require a full Genealogical Survey. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Beda. which was dated 1275, The Hundred Rolls of Warwickshire. during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.