Show ContentsScoulding History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Scoulding

What does the name Scoulding mean?

The name Scoulding reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Scoulding family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Scoulding family lived in Norfolk, at Shouldham. The first record of the family was Simon de Shuldham who was found here in the Pipe Rolls of 1177. John of Shouldham was listed in the Assize Rolls for Norfolk in 1312. 1

The source History of Norfolk notes Thomas Shouldham, Norfolk, 1467; Thomas Shuldham, Norfolk, temp. 1580; and John Shouldnam, Lord of Marham and Shouldham. 2

Early Origins of the Scoulding family

The surname Scoulding was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from the 12th century. Conjecturally they were descended from Ranulf, the Norman noble who held the lands of Shouldham from Reynald FitzIvo at the taking of the Domesday Book in the year 1086. At this time the lands held 1 Mill, 1.5 fisheries and a salt house. Recent excavations in the village suggest that it has been inhabited for 2000 years. 3

"Shouldham Hall, co. Suffolk, was the seat of this family so early as 34 Henry III., when Sir William de Shuldham was resident there. The Shuldhams of Ireland settled in that country, in co. Cork, early in the XVIII. century." 4 The Sholar variant probably originated in Lancashire where Adam del Scoler was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1332. 1 Later up in Scotland, Henry Scoular witnessed a sasine in 1525. George and Ralph Scouller in Huittoun, 1665. 5

Early History of the Scoulding family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Scoulding research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1556, 1616, 1651, 1679, 1681 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Scoulding History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Scoulding Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names tend to be marked by an enormous number of spelling variations. This is largely due to the fact that Old and Middle English lacked any spelling rules when Norman French was introduced in the 11th century. The languages of the English courts at that time were French and Latin. These various languages mixed quite freely in the evolving social milieu. The final element of this mix is that medieval scribes spelled words according to their sounds rather than any definite rules, so a name was often spelled in as many different ways as the number of documents it appeared in. The name was spelled Shuldham, Shouldham, Shuldam, Shouldam, Sholtham and many more.

Early Notables of the Scoulding family

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

Migration of the Scoulding family to Ireland

Some of the Scoulding family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Scoulding family

Because of the political and religious discontent in England, families began to migrate abroad in enormous numbers. Faced with persecution and starvation at home, the open frontiers and generally less oppressive social environment of the New World seemed tantalizing indeed to many English people. The trip was difficult, and not all made it unscathed, but many of those who did get to Canada and the United States made important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers with Scoulding name or one of its variants: George Shouldam arrived in Philadelphia in 1780.



The Scoulding Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vigilate et orate
Motto Translation: Watch and pray.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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