Bridgewater Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Bridgewater Origin:

England

Origin of Bridgewater:

This name is of English origin and is a locational name from an area in Somerset named as Bridgewater. Listed as Brugie in the Domesday Book of 1086 and as Brigewaltier in the 1194 Pipe Rolls of that division, the first component acquires from the Olde English pre 7th Century word ‘Brycg,’ which means the Bridge or overpass. The second component is the particular name Walter, so the whole meaning of the word is ‘Walters Bridge or overpass.’ Walter de Dowai was a 12th Century landowner of the area. Such habitational names are given as surnames for recognition of old residents who moved about freely from their community or hamlet of origin. In May 1614 William Bridgewater married Dorothy Ulster in St. Margaret’s, Lothbury, London and in April 1682 John Bridgewater married Elizabeth Browne in St. Katherine by the Tower, London, John Egerton (1579 – 1649) developed first Earl lord of Bridgewater in 1617.

Variations:

More common variations of this surname are: Bridge Water, Bridgewaeter, Bridgewatter, Bridgewawter, Bridgewter, Pridgewater, Brodgewater, Bridgewiter, Bridgewotter,

England:

The name Bridgewater first organized in Somerset where they held a family seat from ancient times; some say well before the Norman Invasion and the entrance of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Marmaduke Bridgewater who married Marye Woodman, who dated in June 1559, at St. Stephen’s Coleman Street, London. It was during the time of Queen Elizabeth I, who was known to be the “Good Queen Bess,” dated 1558 – 1603.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Bridgewater settled in the United States in four different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th. Some of the people with the name Bridgewater who settled in the United States in the 17th century included Richard Bridgewater, who landed in Virginia in 1623. Christopher Bridgewater, who arrived in Maryland in 1670.

Some of the people with the name Bridgewater who settled in the United States in the 18th century included Robert Bridgewater settled in Virginia in 1730.

Some of the people with the name Bridgewater who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Elisha Bridgewater, at the age of 41, who emigrated to the United States from Dudley in 1899.

Some of the people with the name Bridgewater who settled in the United States in the 20th century included Harry Hubert Bridgewater at the age of 36, who emigrated to America from Birmingham, in 1903. Mary C. Bridgewater at the age of 48, who settled in America from Nassau, in 1903. Marie Bridgewater at the age of 2, who landed in America from Dudley, England, in 1909. George W. Bridgewater at the age of 23, who landed in America from Leicester, England, in 1909. Herbert W. Bridgewater at the age of 57, who landed in America from Drighton, England, in 1911.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Bridgewater: United States 4,436; England 1,387; The Bahamas 1,387; Canada 247; Australia 214; Trinidad and Tobago 157; Saint Kitts and Nevis 95; Wales 79; Guyana 44; Antigua and Barbuda 41.

Notable People:

Bradley Michael Bridgewater was born in March 1973. He is an American competition swimmer who received the gold medal in the men’s 200-meter backstroke at the 1996 Olympics.

Dee Dee Bridgewater was born in 1950. She is an American jazz musician. She also got a reward for outstanding singer and composer, as well as a Tony Award for National Public Radio’s organized radio show JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Cecil Bridgewater was born in 1942. He is an American jazz singer and writer.

John Bridgewater (1532 –1596), is an English accounting professor.

Teddy Bridgewater (born 1992), was an American football player for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Louisville.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Notes: None. Blazon: Argent an eagle displayed sable on a chief azure three fleurs-de-lis or. Crest—A demi stag or, attired sable.
2) Notes: None. Blazon: Sable an eagle displayed argent a chief of the last.