(origin: Local) From Bellesme, a town of France; or it may be Belami, French, a dear and excellent friend; from bel, fair or beautiful, and ami, a friend or companion.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

BELLAMY. Dr. Giles regards this as a corruption of the Norman surname Belesrae; but there is ainmdance of evidence to shew that it is the old or Norman-French Ijclamy, "fair friend," used much m the depreciatory way in which we now employ "good fellow." AHien William Rufus had scolded his chamberlain for offering him a a pair of silk hose that had cost only three shillings, and the oflicial had procured a worse pair for a mark, Robert of Gloucester makes the monarch say — "Aye bd-amii, quoth the King, these were well liought ; In this manner servo me, other ne serve me not."

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.