This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Bartholomew.' A great favourite in the surname period, as its nicks, and dims. (Bartle and Bartlett, which see) prove.

Robert Bartelmeu, Huntingdonshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

William Bartolomeus, Suffolk, ibid.

Gilbert fil. Bartholomew, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Matilda Bartholomew Cambridgeshire, ibid.

1579. John Curtys and Frances Bartilmewe: Marriage Lic (Westminster).

1616. Married — William Dycke, of St. Bartlemew Exchange, and Maria Wallis: St. Michael, Cornhill.

1617. — Robert Turner and Susan Bartleinew: ibid.

A widespread personal name in mediaeval England. Of Semitic origin, 'son of the twin' (Assyrian talimu, 'twin'). Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles. Alisaundre Bertholmeu of Edinburghshire rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 201), Mention is made in 1500 of the lands of John Bertholomei alias Leyis in Glasgow (REG., p. 481). Thomas Barthelmo was kirkmaister of the corporation of baxteris in Edinburgh in 1516 (EBR., p. 160), and Philip Bartilmo is recorded in Grugfute in 1659 (Retours, Linlithgow, 200), and in the Edinburgh Marriage Records the name is spelled Bartelmew, Bartilmo, Baitlemo, and Bartilmew. In Strathblane Bartholomew and Barclay were confused in old spelling. As forename we have Bertil-mew Rutherfurde 1483 (ALA., p. 98).

Bartholomew is also used as an Anglicizing of Parian (O. It. Partholon), a name with which it has no connection in origin or meaning. While the Irish name has almost the same sound as that of the apostle Bartholomew in Irish there is no connection between them, Partholon, also written Bartholan, seems to be a compound of bar 'sea,' and tolon or tolan, apparently derived from tola 'waves, billows'. "Partholon would thus designate 'one having relation to the waves of the sea.' This is just what we learn from his genealogy, according to which he is sprung from Baath (Leahhar na hUidhre, p. I, col. I, 1. 24), whose name also means the sea" (D'Arbois de Jubainville, The Irish mythological cycle, Dublin, 1903, p. 14n). The substitution of Bartholomew for Irish Partholon, is, as the late Sir John Rhys says, "probably an instance of a superficial process of translating proper names" (Rhind Lectures, Paisley, 1891, p. 45.). He further suggests "that Parian or Partholon had figured from time immemorial in the family legend of the Gaelic earls of Lennox as a great ancestor, and possibly as a divine personage." Partholon or Parthalon, son of Sear, according to ancient Irish mythology, was the first who took possession of Ireland two hundred and seventy-eight years after the Flood.

A well-known Christian name, which, besides having itself become a surname, has given rise to many others, viz.: Barthelemy, Barth, Bartlett, Barttelot, Bartle, and Bartie; also, through its nicked form, to Batt, Batts, Bate, Bates, Batson, Bateson, Batey, Batty, Battye, Battcock, Badcock, Badkin, and Batkin.

(Hebrew.) The son of him who maketh the waters to mount, or a son that suspends the waters.

Bartholomew was the name of two county families of Addington and Oxenhoath last century (H.).