Belshaw (surname)

Belshaw is a surname of English origin. It is believed to be a locational surname, derived from a place name in Lancashire, England. The place name itself is thought to be derived from the Old English elements "bel," meaning "fire" or "beacon," and "sceaga," meaning "wood" or "thicket." Therefore, the name likely referred to a wood or thicket where a beacon fire was maintained.

Variations of the surname include Belshawe, Belcher, and possibly others exhibiting phonetic similarity due to dialectal variations and scribal errors over time.

The surname is found primarily in England, but also in countries with significant English diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Early records of the surname or its variants can be found in parish records and other historical documents, providing genealogical information.

Notable people with the surname Belshaw include individuals from various fields such as academia, business, and the arts. Further research is needed to determine specific individuals of encyclopedic notability bearing this surname.