Show ContentsAldridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Aldridge comes from when its first bearer worked as a the Old English personal name Aldrich, meaning old ruler, and refers to "a son of Aldrich." [1]

Another source has a different approach to the origin of the name. "These surnames may be local in origin, but usually derive from Old English Ælfric 'elf-ruler' or Æðelric 'noble ruler'. Both survived the Conquest, by which time the first element had often been reduced to Al- or El- and consequently cannot be distinguished. A common post-Conquest form of Æðelric was Ailric or Eilric." [2]

Early Origins of the Aldridge family

The surname Aldridge was first found in the counties of Sussex, Suffolk, and Surrey, where the Aldridge family held a family seat from very early times. The family had the Saxon spellings of Alderich, Ealdric, or possibly Aelfric before the Conquest. The Alderwick variant may have originated in West Sussex, near to Bognor Regis, in Aldwick.

Aldridge is a town in Staffordshire (now the West Midlands) that dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Alrewic and literally means "dwelling or farm among alders" having derived from the Old English word alor + wic. [3]

The parish was originally in the union of Walsall, in the hundred of Offlow, comprised 7,752 acres and was anciently held by Robert, a tenant of William fitzAnsculf and was worth 15 shillings. [4] In Somerset, William Ailrich was listed there, 1 Edward III (during the first year of Edward III's reign.) [5]

In London, the Calendarium Rotulorum Patentium in Turri Londinensi (1201-1483) lists John filius Aldrech. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include John Aldrich in Cambridgeshire and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include a listing for Robertus Aldrech. [1] John Aldryche was Bailiff of Yarmouth in 1469. [6]

Early History of the Aldridge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aldridge research. Another 34 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1507, 1511, 1515, 1566, 1647, 1681, 1687, 1688, 1689 and 1710 are included under the topic Early Aldridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aldridge Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Aldridge include Aldridge, Aldrich, Alderich, Alderidge, Eldrich, Elderidge, Elderich and many more.

Early Notables of the Aldridge family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Robert Aldrich or Aldridge (d. 1566), was an English scholar and divine, born at Burnham, in Buckinghamshire, towards the close of the fifteenth century. He was educated at Eton, whence he went to Kin...
  • Joan Alderwick, daughter of William Alderwick of Aldridge, Staffordshire, married William Brokesby or Brooksby of Shoby, Leicestershire and had issue

Aldridge World Ranking

In the United States, the name Aldridge is the 1,400th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. [7] However, in New Zealand, the name Aldridge is ranked the 739th most popular surname with an estimated 977 people with that name. [8] And in the United Kingdom, the name Aldridge is the 736th popular surname with an estimated 9,123 people with that name. [9]

Ireland Migration of the Aldridge family to Ireland

Some of the Aldridge family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Aldridge migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Aldridge or a variant listed above:

Aldridge Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Aldridge, who landed in Virginia in 1624 [10]
  • George Aldridge, who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1636 [10]
  • Henry Aldridge, who arrived in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1644 [10]
  • Henry Aldridge, who landed in Massachusetts in 1645 [10]
  • William Aldridge, who landed in Maryland in 1649 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Aldridge Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Aldridge, who landed in Georgia in 1752 [10]
  • William Jos Aldridge, who arrived in America in 1795 [10]
Aldridge Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alfred Aldridge, who arrived in New York in 1820
  • Thomas Aldridge, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County,Pennsylvania in 1844 [10]
  • Dr. Aldridge, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 [10]
  • J. Pall Aldridge, who arrived in Arkansas in 1894 [10]

Canada Aldridge migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Aldridge Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Aldridge, who was recorded in the 1871 census of Ontario

Australia Aldridge migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Aldridge Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Edward Aldridge, (b. 1776), aged 39, English carpenter who was convicted in Kent, England for 14 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [11]
  • Mr. Joseph Aldridge who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dick" on 2nd October 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [12]
  • Peter Aldridge, English convict from Gloucester, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia [13]
  • Mr. John Aldridge, English blacksmith who was convicted in Berkshire, England for 7 years for rioting and machine breaking, transported aboard the "Eleanor" on 26th June 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Miss Ann Aldridge, English convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Aldridge migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Aldridge Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Job Aldridge, aged 25, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Anna Aldridge, aged 21, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1842
  • Mrs. Aldridge, (b. , British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 [16]
  • Mr. James Aldridge, (b. 1835), aged 23, British gardener and groom travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 [16]
  • Miss Christina Aldridge, (b. 1843), aged 15, English house servant from England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Zealandia" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st September 1858 [17]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Aldridge migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [18]
Aldridge Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Deborah Aldridge, who settled in Jamaica in 1717

Contemporary Notables of the name Aldridge (post 1700) +

  • Ira Frederick Aldridge (1807-1867), American stage actor who had a long career on the London stage playing Shakespearean roles
  • Alexandra Aldridge (b. 1994), American three-time bronze medalist ice dancer
  • Victor "Vic" Aldridge (1893-1973), nicknamed the "Hoosier Schoolmaster," an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played from 1917 to 1928
  • Robert Aldridge (b. 1954), American composer and professor, best known for his opera Elmer Gantry
  • James N. Aldridge, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates 11th District, 1974 [19]
  • James D. Aldridge, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Frostburg, Maryland, 1941-42 (acting, 1941-42) [19]
  • George Washington Aldridge (1856-1922), American Republican politician, Mayor of Rochester, New York, 1894; Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1896, 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920 [19]
  • F. M. Aldridge Sr., American politician, Mayor of Gainesville, Texas, 1953-55 [19]
  • Donald R. Aldridge, American Republican politician, Member of Arizona State House of Representatives, 1983-96 [19]
  • Cliff Aldridge, American Republican politician, Member of Oklahoma State Senate 42nd District; elected 2002 [19]
  • ... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Ernest William Aldridge (1884-1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking [20]
HMS Royal Oak
  • Arthur Aldridge, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [21]


Suggested Readings for the name Aldridge +

  • Aldridge Family Genealogy and History by Franklin Rudolph Aldridge.

  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  9. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  10. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Dick
  13. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eleanor
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/buffalo
  16. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  19. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  20. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  21. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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