Show ContentsCadburay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Cadburay

What does the name Cadburay mean?

The name Cadburay was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Cadburay family lived at Cadbury in Devon or Somerset. "There are ancient entrenchments called 'Cadbury Castle' at both the Devonshire and Somersetshire Cadburys." 1

Early Origins of the Cadburay family

The surname Cadburay was first found in Cadbury, a parish, in the union of Tiverton, hundred of Hayridge in Devon. "On the summit of a high hill called Cadbury Castle, is an inclosure nearly circular, consisting of a single vallum and fosse, supposed to be either of British or of Roman origin; near it some Roman coins were found in 1827." 2

Alternatively, the name could have originated in Somerset at either North Cadbury or South Cadbury. "Near the village are the remains of one of the most famous ancient fortifications in England: it was situated on the northern extremity of a ridge of hills, and was encircled by four trenches. Numerous Roman coins have been discovered; and the origin of the place may, with much probability, be ascribed to that people." 2

Literally the place name Cadbury means "fortified place or stronghold of a man called Cada." 3 The Somerset parish dates back to Saxon times when it was first listed as Cadanbyrig c. 1000. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the was known as Cadeberie. 4 Hence, the family surname, is conjecturally descended William de Poilley, who would have adopted the name de Cadbury or Cadbury.

Richard Tapper Cadbury (1768-1860), a native of Exeter moved to Birmingham in 1794 where he and Joseph Rutte started a tea and coffee business. Richard's son, John Cadbury (1801-1889) took over the business and was the founder of Cadbury, the chocolate business based in Birmingham.

Early History of the Cadburay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cadburay research. Another 221 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1319, 1500, 1524, 1627, 1642, 1704 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Cadburay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cadburay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Cadburay have been found, including Cadbury, Cabbury, Cadbery, CadBerry, Cadburie, Cadebury and many more.

Early Notables of the Cadburay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Walter de Cadbury, a prominent 14th century property owner in London; and John Gadbury (1627-1704), an English astrologer, and...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cadburay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cadburay family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Cadburay were among those contributors: Joel Cadbury who arrived in New York State in 1853.



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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