Show ContentsPadley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The many generations and branches of the Padley family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person who worked as the pedder. Pedlars often carried his wares in a pack as he traveled throughout the countryside. But the name was originally derived from the Old English word pedder, which meant wicker worker or someone who worked with baskets from ped, a pannier or basket. 1

"In various English dialects signifies a Pedlar; but it must not be regarded as a corruption of that word; a ped, in the eastern counties, means a species of hamper without a lid, for the conveyance of fish, eggs, chicken, &c,; and the person who traffics in such small articles is therefore very properly styled a Pedder." 2

Early Origins of the Padley family

The surname Padley was first found in Oxfordshire where Robert Piedurs was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1199. Years later, William Le Pedelare was listed in Worcestershire in 1307 and Ralph le Pedeler was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 3

Early History of the Padley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Padley research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1656, 1679 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Padley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Padley Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Padley were recorded, including Pedler, Pedlar, Pedlow, Pedley, Pegler, Pedder and many more.

Early Notables of the Padley family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Padley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Padley family to Ireland

Some of the Padley 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.


United States Padley migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Padley family emigrate to North America:

Padley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Moses Padley, aged 39, who landed in New York in 1812 4

Australia Padley migration to Australia +

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

Padley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Padley (post 1700) +

  • Marcus Padley, English-born, Australian stockbroker and writer
  • William Padley (1842-1904), English cricketer for Nottinghamshire in 1876
  • Barry Padley (b. 1949), former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy (1968-1978)
  • Walter Ernest Padley (1916-1984), British Labour politician, Member of Parliament for Ogmore (1950-1979), President of USDAW (1948-1964), Chair of the Labour Party National Executive Committee (1965-1966)
  • Bill Padley (b. 1961), Scottish Ivor Novello Award winning record producer and songwriter
  • Mr. John Padley, British sheriff, held the joint position of Sheriff of Nottingham, England from 1761 to 1762

RMS Lusitania
  • Mrs. Florence May Padley, English 1st Class Passenger residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada returning to England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 6


The Padley 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: Animo non astutia
Motto Translation: By courage, not by craft.


  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. 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)
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
  6. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


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