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![Show Contents]() Brihtwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Anglo-Saxon name Brihtwel comes from when the family resided in either of the settlements named Brightwell in Berkshire or Suffolk, or in the place called Brightwell Baldwin in Oxfordshire. Early Origins of the Brihtwel familyThe surname Brihtwel was first found in Oxfordshire, where the name is associated with the village of Brightwell Baldwin. In the Domesday Book survey of 1086 Brightwell Baldwin was recorded as lands held by William the Conqueror and the Bishop of Bayeux. During the 11th century it was the site of a mill. Robert de Brictewell was registered in Oxfordshire in 1205. Brightwell Castle was built in 1145 by King Stephen in the village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, but was destroyed in 1153 by his cousin Matilda's son during a civil war. He would later become known as King Henry II. Years later, Thomas Bryghtwell or Brythwell (d. 1390), was a fellow of Merton College, Oxford and is chiefly known in connection with the proceedings against Wycliffe's followers taken at the council of Blackfriars in London in 1382. 1 Early History of the Brihtwel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brihtwel research. Another 226 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1273, 1388, 1390, 1439, 1500, 1675, 1787, 1806 and 1811 are included under the topic Early Brihtwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Brihtwel Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Brihtwel has been recorded under many different variations, including Brightwell, Brightwelle, Britewell, Brihtwell, Brictewell, Brichtewell, Brichwell and many more. Early Notables of the Brihtwel familyMore information is included under the topic Early Brihtwel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Brihtwel family to Ireland
Some of the Brihtwel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Brihtwel familyFor many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Brihtwel or a variant listed above: John Brightwell, who settled in Nova Scotia in 1749.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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England
Ireland
