The name Bretebridge first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in Sussex, in the hamlet of Broadbridge in the parish of Bosham. Broadbrige means "bridge over the broad river crossing," and is three miles west of Chichester and been inhabited since the period of Roman occupation of Britain. Another village in the area is called Broadbridge Heath, and is the birthplace of Percy Bysshe Shelley, the great romantic poet who lived from 1792 to 1822. The name Broadbridge is a compound of the Old English words brad and brycg, which mean "broad" and "bridge," respectively.
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Early Origins of the Bretebridge family
The surname Bretebridge was first found in Sussex, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
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Early History of the Bretebridge family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bretebridge research. Another 221 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1192, 1296, 1327, 1500 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Bretebridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Bretebridge Spelling Variations
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Bretebridge has appeared include Brodbridge, Broadbridge, Brodebridge, Broadbrige, Bradebrige and many more.
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Early Notables of the Bretebridge family
More information is included under the topic Early Bretebridge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Bretebridge family
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Bretebridge arrived in North America very early: a number of settlers who arrived by the 19th century.
England
