Of all the Anglo-Saxon
names to come from Britain, Brawatere is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived near a wide body of water; this may have been either a river or a lake. The surname Brawatere may also be derived from residence in the old parish of Broadwater, which now a suburb of Worthing in Sussex
. This parish was recorded in the Domesday Book
of 1086, under the name of Bradewatre. This land, which was held by William de Braose at that time, was the site of a church and a mill.
Early Origins of the Brawatere family
The surname Brawatere was first found in Sussex
, at Broadwater, originally a parish, in the union of Preston and in the hundred
of Brightford. CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
St. Mary's Church, Broadwater, is a Church of England
parish church that is listed in the Domesday Book
. It is thought to have been built over and ancient Saxon church as in 1939, a Saxon doorway in the south wall of the chancel was discovered. Saxon doorjambs and window arches are preserved within the walls of the present tower.
Early History of the Brawatere family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Brawatere research.Another 419 words (30 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1500, 1590, 1610, 1623, 1290 and 1349 are included under the topic Early Brawatere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Brawatere Spelling Variations
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations
in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Brawatere has been spelled many different ways, including Broadwater, Bradewatre, Brawatere, Brawdwater, Bradwater, Broadwatter and many more.
Early Notables of the Brawatere family (pre 1700)
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Brawatere Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Brawatere family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Brawateres to arrive in North America: Hugh Broadwater, who came to Virginia in 1663; John Broadwater, who arrived in America in 1671; as well asThomas Broadwater who arrived in Jamaica in 1684..