Beasant
Appearance
Beasant or Besant is an English language surname derived from a coin called the byzantius which is named after the city of Byzantium where they were first minted.[1]
Because of the circular nature of the coins the word byzantius, or bezant, as it travelled across Europe, came to mean the 'circle or disk' represented on a coat of arms (in old French), also known as a roundel.
The Beasants were gardeners in the King's court.
Notable people with the surname Besant
[edit]- Annie Besant, prominent Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator.
- Derek Michael Besant, Canadian artist.
- Henry Besant, venue manager.
- Mabel Besant-Scott, English Theosophist.
- Sir Walter Besant, English novelist and historian.
- William Henry Besant, British mathematician.
Notable people with the surname Beasant
[edit]- Dave Beasant, English football goalkeeper.
- Sam Beasant, English goalkeeper.