Bristol

Bristol is a unitary authority area, and a ceremonial county in South West England. Bristol is also the name of the most populous city in the region and is built around the River Avon. Bristol County has a somewhat complicated past.^[1] The historic centre of Bristol and the sections of the city north of the River Avon. Lower, or Bristol and Avon were part of the historic county of Gloucestershire and the areas south of the River Avon were in the historic county of Somerset until the creation of the county of Bristol in 1373. In 1974, the county of Avon^[2] was created from Bristol County and then abolished in 1996 when Bristol became a unitary authority.^[3]^[4]

Bristol is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. The area of Bristol is approximately 42 square miles (110 square kilometers).^[3]

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Bristol County: landscape, industry, agriculture and attractionsBristol County: landscape, industry, agriculture and attractions

Bristol’s landscape is characterized by its hilly terrain, shaped by the rivers Avon and Frome cutting through the limestone to the underlying clay.^[5] The Avon flows from Bath in the east, through flood plains and areas that were marshes before the city’s growth.^[6]

Bristol has a diverse economy with strong connections to the sea and its ports.^[7] Key industries include creative media, electronics, aerospace, and financial services.^[7] The city also has a history of manufacturing, including the refining of sugar, cocoa and chocolate making, wine bottling, and the production of fine glass, porcelain, and pottery.^[3]

The Bristol Coalfield is a geologically complex coalfield that extends beneath the eastern parts of the city and northwards through southern Gloucestershire.^[8] Coal mining in Bristol was first recorded in the 13th century and grew substantially by the late 17th century, supplying cheap coal to the city and its industries.^[9]

The South West region, which includes Bristol, has a significant agricultural sector. The predominant farm types are grazing livestock and general cropping. Key agricultural products include milk, cattle for meat, wheat, barley, maize, and oats.^[10]

Bristol is known for its vibrant cultural scene and historical landmarks. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a Victorian engineering marvel designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The SS Great Britain is a 19th-century ship designed by Brunel, now a museum. Stokes Croft is a neighborhood known for its street art, including works by Banksy. Cabot Tower offers panoramic views of Bristol City. The Bristol Harbor is a historic harbor area with preserved and rejuvenated old wharves and promenades.

Bristol County historyBristol County history

The Bristol area has been settled since the Stone Age, with archaeological finds dating back to around 60,000 years ago. Evidence of prehistoric sites includes Neolithic remains and Iron Age hill forts near the city, such as those at Leigh Woods and Clifton Down.^[11] Bristol began as a Saxon village called Brycgstow, meaning "the place by the bridge". By the 10th century, it had grown into a market town with a mint, indicating its importance in trade. The town’s layout and some archaeological finds suggest that the core of Bristol was established during this period.^[12] During the Roman era, there was a settlement named Abona at the present Sea Mills, which served as a port and was connected to Bath by a road. Archaeological excavations have revealed street patterns, shops, cemeteries, and wharves, indicating a well-developed settlement.^[13] Bristol became a county in 1373 by royal charter.^[14]

The history of Bristol County and Bristol City cannot be easily separated. In the 18th century, Bristol was heavily involved in the transatlantic slave trade, which brought significant wealth to the city.^[15] However, slavery was abolished in England in 1833.^[16] Manufactured goods from Bristol were exchanged for slaves in Africa, who were then transported to the Americas.^[17] However, slavery was abolished in England in 1833.^[16] Bristol City’s population grew rapidly, and it became a major center for sugar and tobacco processing.^[18]

The 19th century saw further industrialization in Bristol, with the construction of a floating harbor and advances in shipbuilding.^[15] The Great Western Railway, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, connected Bristol to London in 1841, boosting the city’s economy.^[19] However, some industries, such as copper, brass, and glass, declined during this period.^[15]

Bristol County parishes and unparished areasBristol County parishes and unparished areas

The historic counties of England were established for administration by the Normans, in most cases based on earlier kingdoms and shires established by the Anglo-Saxons and others, and went out of official use with the creation of the administrative counties in 1889. They are alternatively known as former counties, ancient counties or traditional counties.^[20]

The number of parishes in the ceremonial county of Bristol has changed dramatically over time. Medieval Bristol had 19 parishes.^[21] The Bristol Diocese of the Church of England currently has 211 parishes.^[22]

Bristol County geographyBristol County geography

Bristol is in a limestone area, which runs from the Mendip Hills to the south and the Cotswolds to the north-east. The rivers Avon and Frome cut through this limestone to the underlying clays, creating Bristol's characteristic hilly landscape. The Avon flows from Bath in the east, through flood plains and areas which were marshy before the growth of the city. To the west the Avon has cut through the limestone to form the Avon Gorge, partly aided by glacial meltwater after the last ice age. The gorge helped to protect Bristol Harbor, and has been quarried for stone to build the city.^[23]

Researching family history in Bristol CountyResearching family history in Bristol County

The Bristol Archives holds Baptism, Marriage and Death records for the Bristol Diocese. Because jurisdictional and boundary changes from 1542 A.D. to the present, ecclesiastical records relating to the diocese of Bristol may be found in Gloucester and Salisbury as well as in the Bristol Records Office. Bristol & Avon Family History Society was formed in 1975 and has several helpful databases.

Ethnicities in Bristol CountyEthnicities in Bristol County

Bristol has a diverse population, with significant contributions from international migration. As of the 2021 Census, 18.8% of Bristol’s population was born outside the UK.^[24] Bristol City is home to people from over 180 countries, speaking at least 90 different languages9. Migrants have contributed to various sectors, including healthcare, construction, and hospitality, enriching the city’s cultural and economic landscape.^[17]

Surnames in BristolSurnames in Bristol

Because Bristol County is only ceremonial, the common names come from the City of Bristol^[25]

Surname	Incidence	Frequency
Smith	4,020	1:112
Jones	3,499	1:128
Williams	3,409	1:132
Thomas	2,104	1:213
Brown	2,009	1:223
Taylor	1,922	1:233
Davies	1,835	1:244
Lewis	1,654	1:271
Evans	1,492	1:301
Davis	1,419	1:316

Explore more about Bristol CountyExplore more about Bristol County

MyHeritage.com has 351 collections that contain millions of English records that cover a huge variety of genealogical historical events that can help you find your ancestors. The MyHeritage Knowledge Base contains helpful information about genealogical research. The Legacy Family Tree Webinars website contains more than 2000 valuable genealogical webinars including over 50 webinars about English research.

References

[1] The baffling map of England's counties

[2] Is Avon a county in England?

[:02-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 Bristol | History, Points of Interest, & County | Britannica

[4] What County is Bristol in the UK? – South West Mag

[5] Is Bristol a hilly city?

[6] River Avon | England, Map, & Facts | Britannica

[:12-7] 7.0 ^7.1 Why did Bristol grow so rapidly as a port city?

[8] Gloucestershire - Bristol and Somerset Coalfields

[9] Coal Mining

[10] Agricultural facts: South West region - GOV.UK

[11] Prehistoric Sites in the Bristol Region

[12] The Saxon Origins of Bristol

[13] The History of the Bristol Region in the Roman Period : David Higgins : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

[14] Bristol Past: the history of Bristol, UK

[:32-15] 15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 A History of Bristol

[:42-16] 16.0 ^16.1 Slavery Abolition Act | History & Impact | Britannica

[:22-17] 17.0 ^17.1 How life has changed in Bristol: Census 2021

[18] The Growth of the City | Bristol | The Places Involved | Slavery Routes | Bristol and Transatlantic Slavery | PortCities Bristol

[19] Great Western Railway

[20] Genuki: UK and I Boundaries through Time, [Non-geographic]

[21] Parishes – BAFHS

[22] Parishes in Bristol Diocese

[23] Bristol

[24] What are the impacts of national and international migration in Bristol?

[25] Most Common Surnames in City of Bristol

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