Bradshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Bradshaw date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in one of the settlements named Bradshawin Derbyshire, Lancashire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Early Origins of the Bradshaw family

The surname Bradshaw was first found in Lancashire at Bradshaw, a chapelry in the parish and union of Bolton in the hundred of Salford, now part of Greater Manchester. The chapelry dates back to 1246 when it was listed as Bradeshaghe and literally meant “broad wood or copse” derived from the Old English brad + sceaga. [1] The chapelry is “where the Bradshaws have flourished from the time of the Saxons.” [2] John de Bradshagh was rector of the church of St. Michael, Aughton, Lancashire in 1382. Years later the same church’s records listed William Bradshagh as the rector in 1489, with Thomas Bradshagh as his patron. [3] One would presume that the rectors were related.

There is another Bradshaw in the West Riding of Yorkshire. This ecclesiastical district, in the parish and union of Halifax is much larger than the Lancashire chapelry, but little was found in relation to the surname.

Early History of the Bradshaw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bradshaw research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1450, 1513, 1571, 1618, 1602, 1669, 1602, 1659, 1628, 1684, 1660, 1679, 1613, 1685, 1636, 1702, 1671, 1732, 1635, 1635 and are included under the topic Early Bradshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bradshaw Spelling Variations

Bradshaw has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people’s names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Bradshaw have been found, including Bradshaw, Bradshay, Bradshaigh, Bradshawe, Braidshaw and many more.

Early Notables of the Bradshaw family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Henry Bradshaw (c.1450-1513), English poet; William Bradshaw (1571-1618), English Puritan divine, son of Nicholas Bradshaw, of a Lancashire family, born at Market Bosworth, Leicestershire; Richard Bradshaigh or Bradshaw (1602-1669), an English Jesuit, born in Lancashire; John Bradshaw (1602-1659), one of the judges to preside over the trial and subsequent death sentence of Charles I of England; Sir Roger Bradshaigh, 1st Baronet (1628-1684), an English politician, Member… 
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bradshaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bradshaw World Ranking

In the United States, the name Bradshaw is the 703^rd most popular surname with an estimated 42,279 people with that name. [4] However, in Australia, the name Bradshaw is ranked the 578^thmost popular surname with an estimated 6,691 people with that name. [5] And in New Zealand, the name Bradshaw is the 744^th popular surname with an estimated 974 people with that name. [6] The United Kingdom ranks Bradshaw as 376^th with 16,974 people. [7]

 Migration of the Bradshaw family to Ireland

Some of the Bradshaw family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Bradshaw migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Bradshaws to arrive on North American shores.