Show ContentsBrawatere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Brawatere is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived near a wide body of water; this may have been either a river or a lake. The surname Brawatere may also be derived from residence in the old parish of Broadwater, which now a suburb of Worthing in Sussex. This parish was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, under the name of Bradewatre. This land, which was held by William de Braose at that time, was the site of a church and a mill.

Early Origins of the Brawatere family

The surname Brawatere was first found in Sussex, at Broadwater, originally a parish, in the union of Preston and in the hundred of Brightford. 1 St. Mary's Church, Broadwater, is a Church of England parish church that is listed in the Domesday Book. It is thought to have been built over and ancient Saxon church as in 1939, a Saxon doorway in the south wall of the chancel was discovered. Saxon doorjambs and window arches are preserved within the walls of the present tower.

Thomas Bradwardine (1290?-1349), was Archbishop of Canterbury and is commonly called Doctor Profundus. His surname is variously spelt Bragwardin (Gerson), Brandnardinus (Gesner), Bredwardyn (Birchington), and Bradwardyn (William de Dene). "In public documents he is usually designated as Thomas de Bradwardina or de Bredewardina. His family may have originally come from Bradwardine near Hereford, but he himself says that he was born in Chichester, and implies that his father and grandfather were also natives of that city. " 2

Early History of the Brawatere family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brawatere research. Another 210 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1290, 1349, 1500, 1590, 1610 and 1623 are included under the topic Early Brawatere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brawatere Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Brawatere has been spelled many different ways, including Broadwater, Bradewatre, Brawatere, Brawdwater, Bradwater, Broadwatter and many more.

Early Notables of the Brawatere family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

  • Dominus de Brawatere, a prominent 13th century landholder in Sussex

Migration of the Brawatere family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Brawateres to arrive in North America: Hugh Broadwater, who came to Virginia in 1663; John Broadwater, who arrived in America in 1671; as well asThomas Broadwater who arrived in Jamaica in 1684..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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