Survey of English Place-Names

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).