Bainbridge
A Yorkshire place-name surname meaning “bridge at Bainbrigg” or “bridge by the hill called Bainbrigg.”
The #9,751 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 92,884 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Bainbridge is a habitational surname from Bainbridge in North Yorkshire. The first element is usually taken from an older place-name such as Bainbrigg, probably from Old Norse elements meaning a ridge or hill, though the exact sense is not entirely certain. The second element is English "bridge," referring to a bridge near or associated with that place.
History
The surname is especially associated with Yorkshire and nearby northern counties, which fits its origin in a North Yorkshire place-name. Historical spelling variants include Bambridge and Bainbrigge. Like many English locational surnames, it spread beyond its original district as people moved away from the home village.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The name appears in records of prominent northern families, including Christopher Bainbridge, archbishop of York in the early 1500s.
From the historical record
“1,5.0. Bainbridge, Bambridge, Bainbrigge.— Local, <of Bain- bridge/ a township in the parish of Aysgarthy N. Rid. Yorks. This sumatne has spread widely, and ramified strongly.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)