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.

Bradford Abbas

Major Settlement in the Parish of Bradford Abbas

Historical Forms

  • Bradford' 839–55 Cott 14
  • (apud) Bradeford (rubric), æt bradan forda 933 SherC(S422) 12
  • bradanford 998 12 ib
  • Bradeford(') 1086 DB 1125(12),1145(12) SherC 1204,1214 Cur 1217,1223 FF 1224 Cur 1268,1280 Ass 1285 FA 1460 Digby
  • Bradeforde 1291 Tax
  • Bradford 1163 Dugd
  • 'Bradeford by Shirborn' 1450 Pat
  • Braddeforde 1460 Digby 1569–74 Map
  • Bradfford' 1462 Digby
  • 'Bradford by Yevell' 1467 Pat
  • Bradforde 1546 DCMDeed
  • Braddeford Abbatis 1386 IpmR
  • Bradforde Abbat 1486 Ipm
  • Glasen bradford 1575 Saxton
  • Glasin Brodford, Glazon Brodford, Glasen Brodford, Glazen Brodford, Glazen Bradford 1648 SC

Etymology

'Broad ford' (across R. Yeo), v. brād , ford , cf. Bradford Peverell 1334, Sherborne par. infra ; Yevell ' is Yeovil So.The affix Abbas (Lat  abbas 'abbot', gen.sg. abbatis ) is from the possession of this manor by Sherborne Abbey. The alternative affix Glasen -, Glasin -, etc is no doubt eModE  glassen (from OE  glæsen ) 'made of glass, fitted with glass', presumably with reference to the glazing of the church windows, v. St Mary's Church infra , cf. SoDoNQ 2842–3, 70. The bounds of the Anglo-Saxon estate of Bradford (which included Wyke, now in Castleton par. infra , v. Grundy 1250) are given in 933 (12) SherC (S 422).