Braintree Rural District was a rural district in the county of Essex, England. It was created in 1894. In 1934 the parish of Bocking was removed from the rural district and became part of the newly created Braintree and Bocking Urban District, thus dividing the rural district into two detached parts. It was named after Braintree and administered from Bocking.

Since 1 April 1974 it has formed part of the District of Braintree.

At the time of its dissolution it consisted of the following 20 civil parishes.