Oddell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Oddell

What does the name Oddell mean?

The present generation of the Oddell family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in Odell, or Woodhill, which were in Bedsfordshire. The surname Oddell comes from the Old English words wad, and hyll, which mean woad (a plant collected for the blue dye produced by its leaves), and hill.

Early Origins of the Oddell family

The surname Oddell was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Oddell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oddell research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Oddell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oddell Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Oddell include Odell, O'Dell, Odehull, Wodehull, Wodhull and others.

Early Notables of the Oddell family

More information is included under the topic Early Oddell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Oddell family to Ireland

Some of the Oddell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Oddell family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Oddell were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: William Odell, who came to New England in 1630; Henry Odell, who arrived in Virginia in 1654; as well as Elizabeth Odell and her husband, who settled in Boston in 1820..