| ![Show Contents]() Bridgens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of BridgensWhat does the name Bridgens mean? The name Bridgens is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a dweller by or "keeper of the bridge" in various parts of England. Early Origins of the Bridgens familyThe surname Bridgens was first found in Sussex where one of the first records of the name was John Brygeman who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of that county in 1296. The next reference of the name was John Bregman who was listed in 1310 in Essex. 1 A few years later, John Bruggemon was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Warwickshire of 1332. The same reference listed two versions of the following entry: William Breggeman and William atte Bregge. In the Yorkshire Poll Tax records of 1379, we found Johannes Brigeman. 2 Early History of the Bridgens familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bridgens research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1568, 1577, 1606, 1638, 1640, 1642, 1646, 1647, 1649, 1652, 1671, 1674, 1682, 1685, 1687, 1692, 1695, 1699, 1701, 1764, 1847, 1878, 1928 and 1990 are included under the topic Early Bridgens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bridgens Spelling VariationsUntil 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 Bridgens include Bridgeman, Bridgman and others. Early Notables of the Bridgens familyDistinguished members of the family include Dr. John Bridgeman (1577-1652), Bishop of Chester who purchased the manor of Great Lever from the Assheton family, re-built the Hall, and resided here during some part of the Rebellion. The Bishop's eldest son, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, chief Baron of the exchequer, and afterwards lord keeper of the great seal, was the first English-man advanced to the dignity of Baronet by Charles II. after the Restoration, by the name of Sir Orlando Bridgeman, of Great Lever.Sir John Bridgeman (1568-1638) was Chief Justice of Chester; Henry Bridgeman, DD (died 1682), an Anglican clergyman, the Bishop of...
Another 102 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bridgens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bridgens family to IrelandSome of the Bridgens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Bridgens 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 Bridgens were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:
Bridgens Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Bridgens, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1837 3
| Bridgens migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Bridgens Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. Thomas Bridgens, (b. 1799), aged 19, English brass worker who was convicted in Warwickshire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1862 4
| Bridgens 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: Bridgens Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Edward Bridgens, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1874
- Martha E. Bridgens, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1874
- Frederick Henry Bridgens, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Zealandia" in 1874
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: Nec Temere Nec Timide
Motto Translation: Neither rashly nor timidly.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- 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)
- Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
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