English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Brightford Hundred

Hundred in the County of Sussex

Historical Forms

  • Bradfota 1086 DB
  • Bredford 1086 DB 1248 Ass
  • Bretford 1191 P 1255 FF 1279 QW 1428 FA
  • Brutford 1262 Ass 1407 IpmR

Etymology

'Bright ford,' probably from the clearness of the water or in contrast to some tree-shaded ford nearby, v. beorht , ford . For the forms cf. those of Bradford's Bridge infra 348. For the meaning cf. Lyford supra 23 and contrast Blackford infra 482. In 1651 (SAC 23, 239) the court-leet was held at Broadwater, so perhaps it is there that one should look for the unknown ford.