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 Bridge

Early-attested site in the Parish of Bocking

Historical Forms

  • Bredefordbregge 1402–3 Ct
  • Bockynggemelle versus Bredeford 1385 ib
  • Mellebregge 1385 ib
  • Bred(e)fordestrete 1384 1417–88 Cunnington
  • Bradfordestrete 1503 Will
  • (le) Bred(e)ford(e) 1307 Ass 1384 Ct 1417–88 Cunnington

Etymology

Bradford Bridge (6″) is Bredefordbregge 1402–3Ct . Bradford Mill (6″) is Bockynggemelle versus Bredeford 1385 ib. From this the bridge seems also to have been called Mellebregge 1385 ib. Bradford Street (6″) is Bred (e )fordestrete 1384 ib., 1417–88Cunnington , Bradfordestrete 1503Will . All are named from (le ) Bred (e )ford (e )1307Ass , 1384Ct , 1417–88Cunnington , usually explained as 'the broad ford' through the Blackwater.But the preponderance of forms in Bred (e )- and the absence of e -forms in Bradwell and Bradfield are against a derivation from brad. We have, rather, OE  brǣdu , 'breadth,' hence 'ford through the brede or broad expanse of water.' Cf. Brede and Broadhurst (PN Sx 514, 464).