Find out how popular the last name Bridwell is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Bridwell.

Bridwell, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Bridwell surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Bridwell in America

Bridwell is the 10167th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bridwell surname appeared 3,173 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Bridwell.

We can also compare 2010 data for Bridwell to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Bridwell

The surname Bridwell is of English origin, with its roots tracing back to the medieval era. It is believed to have derived from a place name, likely a combination of two Old English words, "bri" meaning "bridge" and "well," signifying a water source or spring. This suggests that the name may have been associated with a location near a well or a settlement situated by a bridge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript compiled in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror, which documented landowners and tenants throughout England. This historical record mentions individuals bearing variations of the name, such as Bridewell and Brideswell, indicating the surname's longevity.

During the 13th century, the surname Bridwell appeared in various administrative and legal documents, including the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which listed individuals in various counties across England. This further solidified the name's presence in the region.

In the 16th century, a notable figure bearing the surname Bridwell was John Bridwell (c. 1513-1573), an English Catholic priest and martyr who was executed during the Protestant Reformation for refusing to renounce his faith. His steadfastness in the face of persecution has become an integral part of the Bridwell family legacy.

Another historical figure was Sir Orlando Bridgeman Bridwell (1609-1674), an English lawyer and politician who served as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal during the reign of King Charles II. His contributions to the legal and political spheres of his time have been well-documented.

In the 18th century, the Bridwell name continued to appear in various records, with notable individuals such as Samuel Bridwell (1738-1823), an English clergyman and author who published several works on theology and ecclesiastical history.

The 19th century saw the emergence of John Bridwell (1801-1879), an American farmer and politician who served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing Fayette County.

As the centuries progressed, the Bridwell surname spread across different regions, with variations in spelling and pronunciation emerging. However, its origin remained firmly rooted in the English tradition, reflecting the rich history and heritage of this distinctive family name.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Bridwell

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Bridwell.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Bridwell was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Bridwell has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Bridwell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bridwell, please contact us.

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