Bridgman

Bridgman is a surname of English origin, derived from a habitational name for someone living near a bridge or at a place associated with a bridge. It is also used as a place name in the United States.

In the United States, Bridgman refers to a village in Berrien County, Michigan. It is a small community located in the southwest part of the state near the shore of Lake Michigan, and it serves as a local center for nearby towns.

Notable people with the surname Bridgman include Percy Williams Bridgman, an American physicist and Nobel laureate recognized for his experimental work on the physics of matter under high pressures; and George Bridgman, an American painter and influential instructor of anatomy for artists. The Bridgman name is associated with several contributions in science and the arts, reflecting the diverse achievements of individuals who bore the surname.

In scientific contexts, the Bridgman name appears in reference to methods related to crystal growth and high-pressure research. The Bridgman method, named after Percy Bridgman, describes approaches used to grow single crystals and study materials under controlled pressure conditions. The surname thus appears in both geographical and intellectual histories, encompassing places and figures across fields.