Show ContentsBraddint History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The illustrious surname Braddint finds its origin in the rocky, sea swept coastal area of southwestern England known as Cornwall. Although surnames were fairly widespread in medieval England, people were originally known only by a single name. The process by which hereditary surnames were adopted is extremely interesting. As populations grew, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Under the Feudal System of government, surnames evolved and they often reflected life on the manor and in the field. Lords and their tenants often became known by the name of the feudal territory they owned or lived on. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. This was due to the heavy political and cultural influence of the English upon the Cornish People at the time that surnames first came into use. Local surnames were derived from where a person lived, held land, or was born. While many Cornish surnames of this sort appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames derived from lost or unrecorded place names. The name Braddint is a local type of surname and the Braddint family lived in South Northamptonshire at the village of Bradden.

Early Origins of the Braddint family

The surname Braddint was first found in South Northamptonshire at Bradden, a village and civil parish which dates back the Domesday Book 1 where it was listed as Bradene. The name literally means "broad valley" derived from the Old English words "brad" + "denu" 2

Early History of the Braddint family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Braddint research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1683 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Braddint History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Braddint Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Braddon, Bradden and others.

Early Notables of the Braddint family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Captain John Braddon, Magistrate and Lieutenant of Cornwall. Lawrence Braddon (d. 1724), was an English politician, the second son of William Braddon of Treworgy, in St. Genny's, Cornwall. "When the Earl of Essex died in the Tower in 1683, Braddon adopted the belief that he had been murdered, and worked actively to collect sufficient evidence to prove the murder. He set on foot inquiries on the subject in London, and when a rumour reached him that the news of the earl's death was known at Marlborough on the very...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Braddint Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Braddint family to Ireland

Some of the Braddint family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Braddint family

An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Braddint: Thomas Braddon who settled in Virginia in 1732.



The Braddint Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Aut mors aut libertas
Motto Translation: Either death or liberty.


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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