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Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bradley have been found, including Bradley, Bradlie, Bradleigh, Bradly, Bradeley and others.
First found in Lancashire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Bradley, or a variant listed above: Ann Bradley who settled in Nevis in 1654; Bartholomew Bradley settled in Virginia in 1650; George Bradley settled in the Barbados in 1684; Richard Bradley settled in Maryland in 1634.
Motto Translated: Vigilant and bold.
For more information on the last name Bradley, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.
Suggested Readings for the name Bradley
- The Ancestors of Leland Shaw Bradley by Leland Shaw Bradley.
- The Bradley Family by Frederick W. Bradley.
- Milton Bradley (1836-1911), American draftsman, lithographer and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of the Milton Bradley Company, makers of family board games
- Ed Bradley (1941-2006), American broadcast journalist
- Bill Bradley (b. 1943), American politican and professional Basketball Player, Democratic senator from New Jersey
- Omar Nelson Bradley (1893-1981), one of the main U.S. Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during World War II and a General of the Army in the United States Army
- William O'Connell Bradley (1847-1914), American politician, the thirty-second Governor of Kentucky, and later, a U.S. senator from Kentucky
- John Bradley (1923-1994), United States Navy Cross recipient during World War II, and one of the six men who took part in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
- Sir John Stanley Travers Bradley (1888-1982), English, RAF Air Marshall
- Francis Herbert Bradley (1846-1924), English idealist philosopher
- Andrew Cecil Bradley (1851-1935), English critic
- Edward Bradley (1827-1889), English author and clergyman
- Henry Bradley (1845-1923), English lexicographer, senior editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (1915–1923)
- James Bradley (1693-1762), English astronomer, Astronomer Royal from 1742
- Rev. Denis Mary Bradley (1846-1903), clergyman from Derry
Tell Me More About Family Crests
Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist
We have researched the Bradley family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.
Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...
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Family Crests: Timeline
Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...
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Family Crests: Elements
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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate
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Bradley Family Crest Products
Anniversary products for the name Bradley. Apparel with a Bradley family crest. Armorial histories for the name Bradley. Ceramics featuring the Bradley family crest. Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces. Coat of Arms for the name Bradley. Downloads emphasing the family crest for the name Bradley. Family Crest for the name Bradley. Family Tree proudly displaying the Bradley coat of arms. Hand Painted Plaques with a Bradley coat of arms. Keychains proudly displaying the Bradley coat of arms. Mouse pads for the Bradley family crest. New Products revealing the Bradley family crest. Packages with a Bradley coat of arms. Plaques and Frames proudly displaying the Bradley family crest. Surname Histories for the name Bradley. Symbolism with the coat of arms for the name Bradley. Travel Mugs displaying the Bradley family crest. |
The Bradley Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Bradley Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.
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Top 7 Gifts
- Coat of Arms / Family Crest Coffee Mug
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- Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 150 DPI
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- PDF Anniversary Bond: Celtic Style
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- Record Your Own Family Tree
- Mouse Pad & Keychain Combo Package
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- Clan Badge Print
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- Pair of Beer Steins
- Pair of Travel Mugs
- Coffee mugs (set of four)
- Set of Four Large Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Set of Four Small Tiles with Coat of Arms
- Tote Bag and Water Bottle
















