Brettox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The history of the Brettox family goes back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It is derived from the family living by a large, broad oak tree. The surname is derived from the Old English words brad, which means broad, and ac, which means oak.

Early Origins of the Brettox family

The surname Brettox was first found in Kent where one of the first records of the name was Geoffrey Brodhok who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Thomas del Brodok was listed a few years later in the Assize Rolls of 1282 and later Thomas Broddock was listed in the Nonarum Inquisitiones for Essex in 1341. 1

One source notes that Braddock of Broadoak is a parish, in the union of Liskeard, hundred of West, E. division of Cornwall and some of the family originated there. 2

Braddock, Bradock or Broadoak is a parish in the hundred of West, Cornwall. "This parish was taxed in Doomsday under its present name; 'which, if it be single,' says Hals, 'signifies a rebel or traitor; one that betrays the trust or fidelity reposed in him by another; otherwise, if it be compounded of Brad-ock or Brod-ock, it signifies broad trees of oak.' - Saxon. " 3

Early History of the Brettox family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brettox research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1623, 1643, 1656, 1660, 1672, 1679, 1680, 1695, 1700, 1719 and 1755 are included under the topic Early Brettox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brettox Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Brettox include Braddock, Braddick, Braddocke and others.

Early Notables of the Brettox family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Allen Brodrick (1623-1680), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1660 and 1679; and John Braddocke (1656-1719), an English divine from Shropshire. John Braddocke (1656-1719), was an English divine, a native of Shropshire, and received his education at St. Catharine's Hall, Cambridge. General Edward...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brettox Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brettox family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Brettox or a variant listed above: Nathan Braddock who settled in Virginia in 1635; Nicholas Braddon, who came to America in 1685; James Braddick, who arrived in Virginia in 1704; Henry Braddock was a bonded passenger, who arrived in America in 1739.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print