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![Show Contents]() British History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Anglo-Saxon name British comes from when the family resided 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 British familyThe surname British 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 British familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our British 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 British History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. British Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. British has been recorded under many different variations, including Braddock, Braddick, Braddocke and others. Early Notables of the British familyDistinguished members of the family include - General Edward Braddock (1695-1755), was a British general in the French and Indian War. He was killed at the celebrated Battle of the Monongohela River. Interestingly, George Washington was at that t...
Migration of the British familyFor many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name British 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.
- 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
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