Bowdray History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Bowdray is derived from "bow-dry, the bad or nasty dwelling; but the last syllable may be from dreath, draith, gravel, sand. Baudree was the name of a French Protestant family, and would seem to be from Baldric." 1 2 Another source claims the name is derived from the Old German name Balric, meaning "bold rule," common in the French forms Baldri, Baudri. 3 Another source presumes the name to be of Norman origin as "the Haia or Castle of Baldry is mentioned in Normandy, 1180, as is Anchetil Baldrie (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae)." 4 Early Origins of the Bowdray familyThe surname Bowdray was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the ancient Latin form of the name Baldric was found. Hugo filius Baldrici was also found in the same source. 5 Another early Latin entry for the family was Baldricus who was listed at Holme, now known as Holme-next-the-Sea in Norfolk in a rolls that included entries from 1127-1154. Frequently seen as a forename and surname at this time, Baldri de Grendal was listed at Lincolnshire and Baudricus de Lawdecote was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Surrey in 1208. William Baldri was one of the famed Knights Templar in Hertfordshire in 1185. 3 Baldricus de Noneton was recorded Henry III-Edward I (during the reigns of Henry III to Edward I.) 6 In Wiltshire, Aluredus Balriht was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1197 and in Oxfordshire, we found Henry Belrich there in the Pipe Rolls of 1203. In Suffolk, Alexander Baudri was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. Again, in Oxfordshire, we found Richard Balrich at Oseney in 1238. Worcestershire records show Walter Balrich in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. 3 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two entries for the family, both in Huntingdonshire: Edward Baldri; and Matilda Baldri. 2 In Somerset, early records there show Alicia Balrich and Matylda Baldry, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III.) 7 We found this interesting early quote: "A power next to the king's was possessed, from the days of Centwine, in the southern parts of Wessex, by a king or sub-king Baldred, whose influence and importance . . . are rendered more manifest by the circumstance that the Welsh assign to a prince of Devon and Cornwall, living at the time, the Saxon name of Baldric.-Lappenberg-Thorpe, Anglo-Saxon Kings." 8 "The Baldrys of Ipswich possess a very ancient Suffolk name, which was well known in Ipswich and Stowmarket in the 15th and 16th centuries: some of the name served as bailiffs or mayors of Ipswich in the reigns of Henry VI. and Henry VIII. " 9 Early History of the Bowdray familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bowdray research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1481, 1500, 1504, 1510, 1512, 1515, 1523, 1525, 1595, 1600, 1665, 1754, 1780, 1783, 1785, 1793, 1794, 1810, 1818 and 1828 are included under the topic Early Bowdray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bowdray Spelling VariationsBefore 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 Bowdray include Bawdry, Bawdrie, Baudrie, Baudry, Bordery, Bawdery, Bauderie, Bawdrey, Baudrey and many more. Early Notables of the Bowdray familyDistinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Baldry (c. 1481-1525) of Ipswich, Suffolk, an English politician. He was the son of Thomas Baldry (d.1500) of Ipswich and brother of Thomas Baldry, Mayor of London for 1523. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ipswich in 1504, 1512 and 1515.Joshua Kirby Baldrey (1754-1828), was an English engraver and draftsman, practised both in London and Cambridge between 1780 and 1810, working both in the chalk and dot manners. Many of his works were printed in colours. He exhibited portraits at the Royal Academy in 1793 and 1794. Among his best works... Migration of the Bowdray familyA 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: Armand Baudry, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1922; Georges Baudry, aged 30, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1895; and L. Baudry, aged 34, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1892..
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