Wadlow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Etymology of Wadlow

What does the name Wadlow mean?

The Wadlow surname is a habitational name thought to have been taken on from the since lost place, Wadlow in Toddington, Bedfordshire. This place named in turn, is derived from the Old English personal name Wada, and the Old English "hlaw," meaning a "hill," or a "barrow."

Early Origins of the Wadlow family

The surname Wadlow 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 as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1212 when John de Wadelaw held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Wadlow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wadlow research. Another 150 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1867 and 1902 are included under the topic Early Wadlow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wadlow Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Wadlow have been found, including Wadlow, Waterlow, Waddilove, Waddley, Wadleigh, Wadylove, Waddilow, Waddelow, Waddilove, Waddiloe, Wadiloe and many more.

Early Notables of the Wadlow family

Distinguished members of the family include

the Wadlow family of Bedfordshire

Wadlow migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Wadlow, or a variant listed above:

Wadlow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Wadlow, who arrived in Virginia in 1647

Wadlow Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Wm. Wadlow, a bonded emigrant who arrived in Maryland in 1735

Contemporary Notables of the name Wadlow (post 1700) +

Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), American who according to Guinness World Records was the tallest person in medical history at 8ft 11.1 in
Mark Wadlow, English Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award winning writer, known for his work on Coronation Street (2005-2007)
Mark Wadlow (b. 1957), New Zealand actor, comedian, singer, writer, producer, director, best known for his work on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Jeff Wadlow (b. 1976), American award winning producer, writer and director, known for The Tower of Babble (2002), Kick-Ass 2 (2013) and Pearl Harbor (2001)