Show ContentsBrodripe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Brodripe name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in Somerset, where they took their name from the parish of Bawdrip. The place-name first appears in the Domesday Book in 1086, as Bagetrep. 1

Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English terms bage and trep, which mean badger and trap, respectively. It denoted a place where badgers were snared. 2

Another source claims the name is "clearly a nickname, 'broad-rib." 3

Early Origins of the Brodripe family

The surname Brodripe was first found in Somerset where Peter Brodribbe was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. Much later, we found Richard Brawdrib in Wiltshire in 1533. 3

Early History of the Brodripe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brodripe research. Another 76 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1683, 1701 and 1726 are included under the topic Early Brodripe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Brodripe 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 Brodripe has undergone many spelling variations, including Broadrip, Broadripp, Broadrib, Broadribb, Broderip, Brodrib, Broddripp, Brodripe and many more.

Early Notables of the Brodripe family

Notables of the family at this time include William Broderip (1683-1726), English organist, as to whose parentage and education nothing is known, was appointed a vicar choral of Wells Cathedral on 1 April 1701. 4...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brodripe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Brodripe family

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 Brodripe were among those contributors: John Broadrip who settled in Nevis in 1654; Thomas Broadripe settled in Barbados in 1685; William Broddripp settled in Barbados in 1660.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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