Berdett History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of BerdettWhat does the name Berdett mean? Today's generation of the Berdett family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Berdett family lived in Leicestershire. This surname, however, is a reference to the family's former district of residence, "Bordet," Normandy, where they held a family seat as Lords of Cuilly. Another source notes: "Hugh and Robert Burdet occur in Domesday, the family hail from some spot in Normandy, and 'came in with the Conqueror.' " 1 Later, William Burdett, held lands in Potton, Bedfordshire in 1214 and Nicolas Burdett held by service of half a knight's fee in 1284. Early Origins of the Berdett familyThe surname Berdett was first found in Leicestershire where the family can be traced to "Hugo de Burdet, who came into England with William I, and was lord of the manor of Loseby in 1066." 2 Arrow in Warwickshire was for a long time the family seat of the Burdetts but was passed to the Conways in the reign of Henry VI which resulted in many lawsuits which remained unsettled until the end of the reign of Henry VIII. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: William Burdet, Leicestershire; and Stephen Burdet, Lincolnshire while the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Nicholaus Burdet, franktllyn; and Gilbertus Burdet, faber. 1 Early History of the Berdett familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berdett research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1536, 1602, 1630, 1636, 1640, 1642, 1658, 1668, 1671, 1675, 1679, 1701, 1704, 1713, 1716, 1719, 1727, 1747, 1788, 1804 and 1967 are included under the topic Early Berdett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Berdett Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Berdett include Burdett, Bordet, Bourdet, Burdet, Burdit, Burditt and many more. Early Notables of the Berdett familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was George Burdett (c. 1602-1671), English settler to America in 1636, the second colonial governor of the Upper Plantation of New Hampshire; Sir Francis Burdett, 2nd Baronet, from the Warwickshire branch of the family; his son Sir Robert Burdett, 3rd Baronet DL (1640-1716), a Tory politician; and Sir Robert Burdett, 3rd Baronet (1640-1716) from Warwickshire and Debyshire who... Migration of the Berdett family to IrelandSome of the Berdett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Berdett familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Berdetts to arrive on North American shores: Christ Burdett who settled in Virginia in 1648; George Burdett settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1620; William Burdette settled in Virginia in 1639; George Burdet settled in New England in 1635.
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