Show ContentsBetterbridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The family name Betterbridge is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon names of Britain. It was originally a name for a person who worked as a hunter or someone who caught partridges. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names have remained fairly common in the modern period. This is attested to by the continuing appearance of occupational suffixes at the end of many English surnames. Some of these suffixes include: herd, monger, maker, hewer, smith, and wright.

Early Origins of the Betterbridge family

The surname Betterbridge was first found in Kent. However, the parish of Miserden, Yorkshire tells an important story of the family's early lineage. "The manor of Wishanger, here, is of very ancient date, and was the seat of the Partriges, of whom William Partrige, of Cirencester and Wishanger, was summoned by the heralds at their first visitation of the county in the reign of Henry VIII.; from him the manor descended lineally for ten generations, and it was the principal seat of the family until the commencement of the present century, when it was sold. The manor-house, though partly taken down and otherwise injured, is still standing, as a farmhouse; the porch bears the arms of Partrige impaling those of Ernley of Wiltshire, on a large stone over the entrance, Robert Partrige having married into the Ernley family in the 16th century." 1

Early History of the Betterbridge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Betterbridge research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1451, 1544, 1546, 1547, 1551, 1552, 1566, 1603, 1635, 1644, 1675, 1680, 1686, 1703, 1710, 1715 and 1748 are included under the topic Early Betterbridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Betterbridge Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Betterbridge include Partridge, Pettridge, Patridge, Patrige, Partrich and others.

Early Notables of the Betterbridge family

Distinguished members of the family include Peter Partridge (d. 1451), Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, was educated at Oxford University; and Sir Miles Partridge (d. 1552), English courtier, relative of William Partridge of Wishanger in Miserden, Gloucestershire. Sheriff of Gloucestershire (1546-1547.) He held the manor of Almondsbury in 1544. He was convicted of felony, and hanged on Tower Hill on Friday 26 Feb. 1551. John Partridge (fl. 1566), was an English translator and...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Betterbridge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Betterbridge family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Partridge, who arrived in Virginia in 1615; Richard Partridge, who arrived in Virginia in 1620; Joe Partridge, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Mary Partridge, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1636.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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