Brettell Family History

from the Old Breton male personal name Brithael. It was adopted into English usage before the Conquest, becoming Middle English Bretel, Britel, and Brutel. Compare Godwine Brytæl, 1035 in Tengvik (Dorset).

Alternatively, in some instances, it is derived from the Middle English personal name *Bretel or *Bertel, an unrecorded survival of Old English Beorhtel.

This may indicate an alternative pronunciation of Bridle or perhaps Britwell.

Some of the post-medieval bearers cited under (1) may belong here.