Show ContentsBordery History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Bordery is derived from "bow-dry, the bad or nasty dwelling; but the last syllable may be from dreath, draith, gravel, sand. Baudree was the name of a French Protestant family, and would seem to be from Baldric." 1 2

Another source claims the name is derived from the Old German name Balric, meaning "bold rule," common in the French forms Baldri, Baudri. 3

Another source presumes the name to be of Norman origin as "the Haia or Castle of Baldry is mentioned in Normandy, 1180, as is Anchetil Baldrie (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae)." 4

Early Origins of the Bordery family

The surname Bordery was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the ancient Latin form of the name Baldric was found. Hugo filius Baldrici was also found in the same source. 5 Another early Latin entry for the family was Baldricus who was listed at Holme, now known as Holme-next-the-Sea in Norfolk in a rolls that included entries from 1127-1154. Frequently seen as a forename and surname at this time, Baldri de Grendal was listed at Lincolnshire and Baudricus de Lawdecote was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Surrey in 1208. William Baldri was one of the famed Knights Templar in Hertfordshire in 1185. 3

Baldricus de Noneton was recorded Henry III-Edward I (during the reigns of Henry III to Edward I.) 6

In Wiltshire, Aluredus Balriht was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1197 and in Oxfordshire, we found Henry Belrich there in the Pipe Rolls of 1203. In Suffolk, Alexander Baudri was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. Again, in Oxfordshire, we found Richard Balrich at Oseney in 1238. Worcestershire records show Walter Balrich in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two entries for the family, both in Huntingdonshire: Edward Baldri; and Matilda Baldri. 2 In Somerset, early records there show Alicia Balrich and Matylda Baldry, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III.) 7

We found this interesting early quote: "A power next to the king's was pos­sessed, from the days of Centwine, in the southern parts of Wessex, by a king or sub-king Baldred, whose influence and importance . . . are rendered more mani­fest by the circumstance that the Welsh assign to a prince of Devon and Cornwall, living at the time, the Saxon name of Baldric.-Lappenberg-Thorpe, Anglo-Saxon Kings." 8

"The Baldrys of Ipswich possess a very ancient Suffolk name, which was well known in Ipswich and Stowmarket in the 15th and 16th centuries: some of the name served as bailiffs or mayors of Ipswich in the reigns of Henry VI. and Henry VIII. " 9

Early History of the Bordery family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bordery research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1481, 1500, 1504, 1510, 1512, 1515, 1523, 1525, 1595, 1600, 1665, 1754, 1780, 1783, 1785, 1793, 1794, 1810, 1818 and 1828 are included under the topic Early Bordery History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bordery Spelling Variations

Bordery has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Bawdry, Bawdrie, Baudrie, Baudry, Bordery, Bawdery, Bauderie, Bawdrey, Baudrey and many more.

Early Notables of the Bordery family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Baldry (c. 1481-1525) of Ipswich, Suffolk, an English politician. He was the son of Thomas Baldry (d.1500) of Ipswich and brother of Thomas Baldry, Mayor of London for 1523. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ipswich in 1504, 1512 and 1515.Joshua Kirby Baldrey (1754-1828), was an English engraver and draftsman, practised both in London and Cambridge between 1780 and 1810, working both in the chalk and dot manners. Many of his works were printed in colours. He exhibited portraits at the Royal Academy in 1793 and 1794. Among his best works...
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bordery Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Bordery migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Borderys to arrive on North American shores:

Bordery Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Delores Bordery, aged 45, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Duca degli Abruzzi" in 1916 10
  • Ernest Bordery, aged 49, who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Tamaroa" in 1943 10


  1. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  5. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  6. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  7. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  8. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  9. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  10. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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