Berdolf History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of BerdolfWhat does the name Berdolf mean? The Berdolf name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Berdolf is 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 Berdolf familyThe surname Berdolf 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 Berdolf familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Berdolf 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 Berdolf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Berdolf Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Berdolf were recorded, including Bardolph, Bardol, Bardel, Bardulfus, Bardolf, Barduf, Bardoulf, Bardulphe and many more. Early Notables of the Berdolf familyDistinguished 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... Migration of the Berdolf familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Berdolf family emigrate to North America: Ann Bardel who arrived in Virginia in 1653 and Adam Bardolph who arrived in Philadelphia in 1832.
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