Show ContentsBarduf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The generations and branches of the Barduf family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Barduf comes from the baptismal word for Bardolf. As one would expect the name was derived from the Old German name "Bartholf." 1

Early Origins of the Barduf family

The surname Barduf was first found in Lincolnshire, where one of the first records of the names was Hugo Bardulfus who was registered there in 1142. Thomas Bardolf was recorded in the same shire in 1184. 1

Over in Wormegay, Norfolk another branch of the family was found in early times. "This place is of great antiquity, and is said to have acquired considerable importance before the Conquest. In the time of Henry II., the lordship was held by the Bardolphs; who had a castle here, of which the moat may still be traced." 2

"William Bardulf, who served as sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, temp. Henry II. In the succeeding reign, Doun Bardolf, the grandson of the sheriff, acquired in marriage with Beatrix, daughter and heiress of William de Warren, the Barony of Wirmegay in Norfolk, and thenceforth Wirmegay became the designation of the family. " 3

"Another fortunate alliance, that of John, third Lord Bardolf, a banneret of the martial time of Edward III., with the daughter and coheiress of Sir Roger D'Amorie, still further augmented the possessions of the house, but all were lost at the death and attainder of the fifth and ill-fated lord, who, joining the Earl of Northumberland's insurrection, was mortally wounded at Bramham Moor. " 3

Hugh Bardolf (d. 1203), was Justiciar of the Curia Regis, and is presumed to have been son of William Bardolf, Sheriff of Norfolk 16-21 Hen. II. (during the 16th through the 21st years of Henry II's reign.) 4

William Bardolf (d. c. 1275), was a Baronial leader, Lord of Wirmgay, Norfolk, in right of his mother, daughter and heiress of William de Warrenne. 4

Early History of the Barduf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barduf research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1300, 1314, 1331, 1349, 1363, 1369, 1386, 1408, 1572 and 1634 are included under the topic Early Barduf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barduf Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Barduf include Bardolph, Bardol, Bardel, Bardulfus, Bardolf, Barduf, Bardoulf, Bardulphe and many more.

Early Notables of the Barduf family

Distinguished members of the family include Hugh Bardulphe, the Sheriff of Westmorland in the late 1300s; Sir Thomas Bardolf, 2nd Lord Bardolf who died in 1331. Records are lost of the first Lord Bardolf, but from this lord began John Bardolf, 3rd Baron Bardolf (1314-1363), William Bardolf, 4th Baron Bardolf (1349-1386) and Thomas Bardolf, 5th Baron Bardolf who died in 1408 from wounds received at the at the...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Barduf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Barduf family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Barduf or a variant listed above: Ann Bardel who arrived in Virginia in 1653 and Adam Bardolph who arrived in Philadelphia in 1832.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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