Show ContentsBratney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the ancestors of the Bratney family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in the town and parish of Bradney in county Somerset. The name was originally derived from the Old English word "bradeney," which means "the dweller at the broad island."

Early Origins of the Bratney family

The surname Bratney was first found in Somerset where the family claim descent from Sir Simon de Bredenie in 1346. 1 This is probably the same gentleman who was listed as Simon de Bradneghe in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. William de Bradney was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 2 Another source notes that Simon de Bardeneye was Mayor of Bristol in 1276 and Abbas de Bardeneye was listed in Lincolnshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. 3

Early History of the Bratney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bratney research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1346 is included under the topic Early Bratney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bratney Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Bratney has been recorded under many different variations, including Bradney, Bradnie, Bredenie and others.

Early Notables of the Bratney family

More information is included under the topic Early Bratney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bratney family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Bratneys were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Thomas Bradney who settled in Virginia in 1653; Geoffrey Bredenie who landed in America in 1799.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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