Hodell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Hodell is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Odell, or Woodhill, which were in Bedsfordshire. The surname Hodell 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 Hodell family

The surname Hodell 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 Hodell family

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

Hodell Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hodell has been spelled many different ways, including Odell, O'Dell, Odehull, Wodehull, Wodhull and others.

Early Notables of the Hodell family

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

Migration of the Hodell family to Ireland

Some of the Hodell 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 Hodell family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hodells to arrive in North America: 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..