Vidal History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThis noble family claim descent from the Normans, specifically from the Latin name Vitalis, which is derived from the Old French names Vitel, Viel, the name of some ten saints (Latin vitalis 'pertaining to life, vital'), and became common in England after the Conquest both in its learned form Vitalis and in the northern French form Viel. The absence of early forms of Vidal suggests that this was a later immigrant from Languedoc. Viel also survives as Veal. Vital may also be attributive from Middle English vital in the sense 'full of vitality' 1 Early Origins of the Vidal familyThe surname Vidal was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the early Latin spellings Vitalis, Vitel and Fitel were listed. In Devon, the Domesday Book records Vitalis de Colintone as holding lands there at that time. 2 1 The lands of Devon were held by Vitalis of Berny. Abbot Vitalis was Abbot of Westminster in 1076 and he may have been at the confirmation of Duke William as King of England at Lillebonne in Normandy in 1061. Early History of the Vidal familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vidal research. Another 174 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1041, 1153, 1172, 1191, 1194, 1327, 1474, 1476, 1510, 1543, 1600, 1629, 1632, 1648, 1674, 1708 and 1744 are included under the topic Early Vidal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Vidal Spelling VariationsMultitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Vial, Vidal, Vital, Viall, Veel, Vele, Veil, Veele, Vidall, Vital, Vitall, Viel and many more. Early Notables of the Vidal familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Veel or Veal (1632?-1708), an English nonconformist tutor, of good family, and born, probably in Gloucestershire. Robert... Vidal World RankingIn the United States, the name Vidal is the 2,978th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 3 However, in France, the name Vidal is ranked the 90th most popular surname with an estimated 30,219 people with that name. 4 And in South America, the name Vidal is the 49th popular surname with an estimated 80 people with that name. 5 Migration of the Vidal family to IrelandSome of the Vidal family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Vidal or a variant listed above: Vidal Settlers in United States in the 16th Century
Vidal Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Vidal Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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: Vidal Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
USS Arizona
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