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Archiver > BRADFORD > 1999-10 > 0941065148


From: John Paul Bradford <>
Subject: [BRADFORD-L] Bradford Origins
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 15:59:08 -0700


Kenna,

All surname authorities agree that the surname Bradford comes from
"Broad Ford" meaning a wide crossing place of a river. The surname would
have become attached to an individual as a method of identifying him:
John of the broad ford, meaning he lived by the broad ford. It could
also have arisen from one of the many towns called Bradford in England.
In this case, he could be John of (the town of) Bradford. There are
Bradfords in York and the western counties have several. My own
Bradford's come from eastern Hertfordshire. There is no Bradford town
there so the name was either an import or arose from a now unidentified
"broad ford" of a local river.
My Bradfords moved from Hertfordshire to Islington in the 1850's. That
is not far from Tottenham. Maybe well will find a connection one day.
What do you know of your Bradfords?

God Bless

John Paul Bradford
Ontario, Canada

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