Beardolph History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Beardolph has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the baptismal word for Bardolf. As one would expect the name was derived from the Old German name "Bartholf." 1

Early Origins of the Beardolph family

The surname Beardolph was first found in Lincolnshire, where one of the first records of the names was Hugo Bardulfus who was registered there in 1142. Thomas Bardolf was recorded in the same shire in 1184. 1

Over in Wormegay, Norfolk another branch of the family was found in early times. "This place is of great antiquity, and is said to have acquired considerable importance before the Conquest. In the time of Henry II., the lordship was held by the Bardolphs; who had a castle here, of which the moat may still be traced." 2

"William Bardulf, who served as sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk, temp. Henry II. In the succeeding reign, Doun Bardolf, the grandson of the sheriff, acquired in marriage with Beatrix, daughter and heiress of William de Warren, the Barony of Wirmegay in Norfolk, and thenceforth Wirmegay became the designation of the family. " 3

"Another fortunate alliance, that of John, third Lord Bardolf, a banneret of the martial time of Edward III., with the daughter and coheiress of Sir Roger D'Amorie, still further augmented the possessions of the house, but all were lost at the death and attainder of the fifth and ill-fated lord, who, joining the Earl of Northumberland's insurrection, was mortally wounded at Bramham Moor. " 3

Hugh Bardolf (d. 1203), was Justiciar of the Curia Regis, and is presumed to have been son of William Bardolf, Sheriff of Norfolk 16-21 Hen. II. (during the 16th through the 21st years of Henry II's reign.) 4

William Bardolf (d. c. 1275), was a Baronial leader, Lord of Wirmgay, Norfolk, in right of his mother, daughter and heiress of William de Warrenne. 4

Early History of the Beardolph family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beardolph research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1300, 1314, 1331, 1349, 1363, 1369, 1386, 1408, 1572 and 1634 are included under the topic Early Beardolph History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beardolph Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Beardolph include Bardolph, Bardol, Bardel, Bardulfus, Bardolf, Barduf, Bardoulf, Bardulphe and many more.

Early Notables of the Beardolph family

Distinguished members of the family include Hugh Bardulphe, the Sheriff of Westmorland in the late 1300s; Sir Thomas Bardolf, 2nd Lord Bardolf who died in 1331. Records are lost of the first Lord Bardolf, but from this lord began John Bardolf, 3rd Baron Bardolf (1314-1363), William Bardolf, 4th Baron Bardolf (1349-1386) and Thomas Bardolf, 5th Baron Bardolf who died in 1408 from wounds received at the at the...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beardolph Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beardolph family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Ann Bardel who arrived in Virginia in 1653 and Adam Bardolph who arrived in Philadelphia in 1832.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print