Originally a Scottish surname, Betham has its origins come from the early Viking settlers. The term ‘beth’ can mean an embankment. Various spelling forms for Betham include Beethem, Beedham, Beetham, Beatham and Beatam. In England the Betham families live mostly in Norfolk, Essex, the city of London, Durham, Lancashire, Westmorland, Derbyshire and Warwickshire. The early Scottish Betham families relocated in the 1700s to the American colonies of South Carolina and Maryland. By the 20th century they were concentrated in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, but also in the northern states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan. Famous: Monty Betham (a professional rugby player from New Zealand), Asa Betham (Civil War U. S. Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor), Stephen Betham (head coach for the champion rugby team in Samoa) and Mary Matilda Betham (19th century miniature painter and poet in England).