One of his descendants is believed to have settled in Jamestown, VA, around 1623.īain, J., “ The Border Papers. England’s southeast country - one of the most prominent Bells of the era was Sir Robert Bell, who was Speaker of the House of Commons (1572-1576), was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I in 1577, and served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer ( History of Parliament).Ninian Beall, who helped hundreds of his family members immigrate to America and settle what is now Washington, D.C. Andrews) with notable descendents like Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, and Col. Records also show a thriving community of Bells in St. Andrews, 1248 ( Papal Letters, Vol 1, pg 245). Scotland’s Eastern Lowlands - the first recorded use of the surname Bell in Scotland is John Bell, who served as a notary in St.Interestingly, Scrope’s papers are the clearest surviving records we have on Border law and it was written by his clerk, Richard Bell! This is evidenced by a muster of Eskdale Ward in 1581 ( Border Papers, Vol 1, pg 37-41), as well as a petition offered in Nov 1597 to Lord Scrope, the English West March Warden ( Border Papers, Vol 2, pg 454 ).

England’s West March - there were a number of Bell families in the Cumberland region.The clan’s chief, William “Redcloak” Bell ( PCS, Vol 1-5, pg 497), was frequently charged (along with other clan members) with stealing cattle and other valuables by rival families and landowners on both sides of the border in a practice known as “reiving.” He was also listed as a participant in the notorious rescue of Kinmont Willie from his English captors in 1596 ( Border Papers, Vol 2, pg 122 ).

Scotland’s West March - home to Clan Bell, one of the Border clans mentioned in 1587’s Acts of the Scottish Parliament ( RPS, ).

Historical records show several areas in the UK with established Bell families prior to 1603, when Scotland and England united under King James VI and I and the “unruly” clans along the Border such as Clan Bell were pacified or forced to leave:

Melville bell grosvenor