Show ContentsBerditch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Berditch

What does the name Berditch mean?

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Berditch family, who 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 Berditch family

The surname Berditch 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 Berditch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berditch 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 Berditch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Berditch Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Berditch were recorded, including Burdett, Bordet, Bourdet, Burdet, Burdit, Burditt and many more.

Early Notables of the Berditch family

Outstanding 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...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Berditch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Berditch family to Ireland

Some of the Berditch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Berditch family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Berditch arrived in North America very early: 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.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook