Beardolfe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
The rich and ancient history of the Beardolfe family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the baptismal word for Bardolf.
Early Origins of the Beardolfe family
The surname Beardolfe was first found in Lincolnshire, where one of the first records of the names was Hugo Bardulfus who was registered there in 1142. Thomas Bardolf was recorded in the same shire in 1184.
Over in Wormegay, Norfolk another branch of the family was found in early times. "This place is of great antiquity, and is said to have acquired considerable importance before the Conquest. In the time of Henry II., the lordship was held by the Bardolphs; who had a castle here, of which the moat may still be traced." 
Hugh Bardolf (d. 1203), was Justiciar of the Curia Regis, and is presumed to have been son of William Bardolf, Sheriff of Norfolk 16-21 Hen. II. (during the 16th through the 21st years of Henry II's reign.) 
William Bardolf (d. c. 1275), was a Baronial leader, Lord of Wirmgay, Norfolk, in right of his mother, daughter and heiress of William de Warrenne. 
Early History of the Beardolfe family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beardolfe research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1273, 1349, 1369, 1572, 1634, 1300, 1331, 1314, 1363, 1349, 1386 and 1408 are included under the topic Early Beardolfe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Beardolfe Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Beardolfe have been found, including Bardolph, Bardol, Bardel, Bardulfus, Bardolf, Barduf, Bardoulf, Bardulphe and many more.
Early Notables of the Beardolfe family (pre 1700)
Distinguished members of the family include Hugh Bardulphe, the Sheriff of Westmorland in the late 1300s; Sir Thomas Bardolf, 2nd Lord Bardolf who died in 1331. Records are lost of the first Lord Bardolf, but from this lord began John Bardolf, 3rd Baron Bardolf (1314-1363), William Bardolf, 4th Baron Bardolf (1349-1386) and Thomas Bardolf, 5th Baron Bardolf who died in 1408 from wounds received at the at the...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beardolfe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Beardolfe family
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Beardolfe, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Ann Bardel who arrived in Virginia in 1653 and Adam Bardolph who arrived in Philadelphia in 1832.
Related Stories +
- ^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- ^ Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print