Bradley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Bradley

What does the name Bradley mean?

The present generation of the Bradley family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Lincolnshire, where they held estates in the village and parish of Bradley, and from which they derived their family name. The name refers to the local "broad ley" meaning "broad meadow" and for this there are many, many parishes, townships, hamlets with this name throughout England. 1 However, the first record of the name appears in the Poll Tax Records of Lincolnshire where William de Bradelai was listed in 1170. 2

Early Origins of the Bradley family

The surname Bradley was first found in Lincolnshire. However, there are at least fifteen parishes and towns that have "Bradley" as part of their name throughout Britain. 1 Most are very small, but three of them date back to the Domesday Book of 1086: Bradley, Derbyshire (Braidelei); Bradley, Maiden Wiltshire (Bradelie) and Bradley in the Moors, Staffordshire (Bretlei.) 3 A reference to the family in the township of Wilpshire in Lancashire was also found. "This place appears to have been the property of the Braddylls, and of the monks of Whalley." 4

Early spellings of the family were very different than those in use today as seen by early entries in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Robert de Bradeleye, Cambridgeshire; and Brice de Bradeleghe, Somerset. 5

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 also had early spellings: Willelmus Brodelegh; Agnes Brodelegh; and Agnes de Bradelay.

Kirby's Quest lists Richard de Bradleghe, Somerset, 1 Edward III and Henry de Bradleye, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III) 6

Further to the north in Scotland, the family hails from "the lands of Braidlie in the barony of Hawick, Roxburghshire [where] John de Bradely rendered homage at Berwick in 1291 and William de Bradeleye of the county of Roxburghe rendered homage in 1296. The seal of William is a curious one, bearing a tree supported by two hares, the dexter one beating a cymbal or drum, the sinister playing a pipe; bird in top, a dog coiled at base, and legend S' Will'i de Bradeley." 7

Early History of the Bradley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bradley research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1596, 1616, 1620, 1627, 1628, 1629, 1673, 1678, 1693, 1732, 1762 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bradley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bradley Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Bradley include Bradley, Bradlie, Bradleigh, Bradly, Bradeley and others.

Early Notables of the Bradley family

Sir Francis Bradley; and Thomas Bradley (ca.1596-1673), English chaplain to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham and later Chaplain to King Charles I (1628.) "He became a battler of Exeter College...
James Bradley (1693-1762), was Astronomer-Royal and was the "third son of William Bradley, a descendant of a family seated at Bradley Castle, county Durham, from the fourteenth century, by his marriag...
Richard Bradley (d. 1732), was an English botanist and horticultural writer, was a very popular and voluminous author. 8

Bradley World Ranking

the United States, the name Bradley is the 181^st most popular surname with an estimated 134,298 people with that name. 9 However, in Canada, the name Bradley is ranked the 349^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,991 people with that name. 10 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bradley is the 595^th popular surname with an estimated 77 people with that name. 11 Australia ranks Bradley as 213^rd with 15,609 people. 12 New Zealand ranks Bradley as 125^th with 3,659 people. 13 The United Kingdom ranks Bradley as 117^th with 42,006 people. 14

Migration of the Bradley family to Ireland

Some of the Bradley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 119 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bradley migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Bradley were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Bradley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Bradley, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1608 aboard the ship "Second Supply" 16
Mr. Richard Bradley, who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship "Ark and Dove" 16
Thomas Bradley, who landed in Maryland in 1635 16
Daniell Bradley, aged 29, who arrived in New England in 1635 16
William Bradley, who arrived in New Haven, Connecticut in 1637 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Nathan Bradley, who landed in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1701 16
Tho Bradley, who landed in Virginia in 1704 16
Mary Bradley, who arrived in Georgia in 1738 16
John Bradley, who landed in Virginia in 1769-1770 16
Robert Bradley, who arrived in New York in 1795 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Cath Bradley, who landed in America in 1805 16
Patk Bradley, who landed in America in 1805 16
Henry Bradley, who arrived in South Carolina in 1809 16
Francis Bradley, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 16
James Bradley, who landed in America in 1811 16
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradley migration to Canada +

Bradley Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

William Bradley, who settled in Carbonear in 1675

Bradley Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Richard Bradley, who settled in Bonavista in 1787
John Bradley, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1798 17

Bradley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mary Bradley, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1823
William Bradley was a planter in Western Bay, Newfoundland in 1826
Patrick Bradley, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
Patrick Bradley, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Trial" in 1833
William Bradley, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Edward Reid" in 1833
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Miss Betty Bradley, (d. 1790), British settler convicted in Cheshire, England in , sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790, may have died on the ship 15

Second Fleet

Mr. James Bradley, (b. 1760), aged 30, British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 16

Third Fleet

Mr. James Edward Bradley, (1765 - 1838), aged 23, English settler convicted in London on 29th June 1785, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 16
Mr. William Bradley, (1757 - 1833), British 1st lieutenant on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788, he is listed as staying with Sirius on provision runs till 1789

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Bradley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Bradley, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Joseph Bradley, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the "Queen" in 1804 19
Mr.James Bradley, (1764 - 1838), aged 48, British school teacher who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years for forgery, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
Mr. John Bradley, (b. 1797), aged 18, British convict who was convicted in San Fernando (Isla of Leon), Cádiz, Spain for life for desertion from the army, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 21
Mr. Thomas Bradley, British Convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 22
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradley migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Bradley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Francis Bradley, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1841
John Bradley, aged 28, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Margaret Bradley, aged 25, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Elizabeth Bradley, aged 34, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
William Bradley, aged 12, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bradley migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 23

Bradley Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

George Bradley, who settled in Barbados in 1684

Contemporary Notables of the name Bradley (post 1700) +

Clyde Edward Bradley (1934-2025), American politician in the state of Iowa, served in the Iowa House of Representatives (1995-2003) (37th district), from Clinton County, Iowa
Minnie Lou Bradley (1931-2025), American rancher and cattlewoman, inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 2006, considered an innovator in the beef cattle industry
Alberta O. Bradley (b. 1917), née Starnes, American Corporal in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
Mark Allen Bradley (1956-2024), American Major League Baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets from 1981 to 1983
Edward Rudolph "Ed" Bradley (1941-2006), American broadcast journalist best known for twenty-six years of award-winning work on the CBS News television magazine 60 Minutes
Jerry Owen Bradley (1940-2023), American music executive known for his role in country music, head of RCA Records in Nashville from 1973 to 1982, inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019
James Bradley Jr. (1955-2023), American NBA basketball player from Memphis, Tennessee
Charles John "Chuck" Bradley (1950-2022), American NFL football tight end who played three seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears (1973-1977)
David T. Bradley (1952-2022), American politician, Minority Leader of the Arizona Senate (2019-2021), Member of the Arizona Senate (2013-2021)
... (Another 32 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Bradley family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. John T Bradley (1963-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Winchester, Kentucky, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 24
Mr. Ross Bradley (1920-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Mosman Park, Western Australia, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 25
Wilfred Bradley (d. 1942), British Coder aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
John Bradley (d. 1945), British Able Seaman aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 27
Mr. Kenneth J Bradley (b. 1923), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Leicester, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 28
... (Another 11 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Bradley Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vigilance et audax
Motto Translation: Vigilant and bold.

Sources +

Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm