Bridgemen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Bridgemen name was originally an Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a dweller by or "keeper of the bridge" in various parts of England.

Early Origins of the Bridgemen family

The surname Bridgemen was first found in Sussex where one of the first records of the name was John Brygeman who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of that county in 1296. The next reference of the name was John Bregman who was listed in 1310 in Essex. 1

A few years later, John Bruggemon was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire of 1332. The same reference listed two versions of the following entry: William Breggeman and William atte Bregge. In the Yorkshire Poll Tax records of 1379, we found Johannes Brigeman. 2

Early History of the Bridgemen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bridgemen research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1568, 1577, 1606, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1646, 1647, 1649, 1652, 1671, 1674, 1682, 1685, 1687, 1692, 1695, 1699, 1701, 1764, 1847, 1878, 1928 and 1990 are included under the topic Early Bridgemen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bridgemen Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Bridgemen has undergone many spelling variations, including Bridgeman, Bridgman and others.

Early Notables of the Bridgemen family

Distinguished members of the family include Dr. John Bridgeman (1577-1652), Bishop of Chester who purchased the manor of Great Lever from the Assheton family, re-built the Hall, and resided here during some part of the Rebellion. The Bishop's eldest son, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, chief Baron of the exchequer, and afterwards lord keeper of the great seal, was the first English-man advanced to the dignity of Baronet by Charles II. after the Restoration, by the name of Sir Orlando Bridgeman, of Great Lever.Sir John Bridgeman (1568-1638) was Chief Justice of Chester; Henry Bridgeman, DD (died 1682), an Anglican clergyman, the Bishop of...
Another 102 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bridgemen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bridgemen family to Ireland

Some of the Bridgemen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bridgemen migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bridgemen were among those contributors:

Bridgemen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jacob Bridgemen who settled in Virginia in 1654

The Bridgemen 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: Nec Temere Nec Timide
Motto Translation: Neither rashly nor timidly.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)