Show ContentsVidler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Vidler is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Vidler family lived in or near the settlement of Vis-de-lou in Normandy. Over time, the pronunciation of this place-name changed into Vidler.

Early Origins of the Vidler family

The surname Vidler was first found in Surrey where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. The personal Norman name, Le Fidelaire, originated from Normandy.

Early History of the Vidler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vidler research. Another 170 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1230, 1498, 1511, 1514, 1525, 1565, 1597 and 1632 are included under the topic Early Vidler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vidler Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Fiddler, Fidler, Fiddlar, Fidlar, Fidelow, Fydler and many more.

Early Notables of the Vidler family

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


United States Vidler migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Vidler or a variant listed above:

Vidler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Albert Vidler, aged 38, who landed in America from London, in 1892
Vidler Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Gilbert Vidler, aged 18, who landed in America from Sussex, in 1900
  • Albert Edward Vidler, aged 34, who immigrated to America from Brighton, England, in 1907
  • Frank Garden Vidler, aged 19, who settled in America from Boughten, England, in 1907
  • Mollie Vidler, aged 30, who landed in America from Battle, England, in 1913
  • Harry Vidler, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Vidler migration to Australia +

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

Vidler Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Edwin Vidler, (b. 1813), aged 24, English labourer from Sandhurst, Kent, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, he died in 1895 1
  • Mrs. Mary Vidler, (nee Buss), (b. 1813), aged 25, English house servant from Sandhurst, Kent, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, she died in 1901 2
  • Mr. Henry Vidler, (b. 1836), aged 1, English settler from Sandhurst, Kent, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, he died at sea 3
  • Mr. John Vidler, (b. 1801), aged 36, English labourer from Sandhurst, Kent, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, he died in 1892 4
  • Mrs. Mercy Mary Vidler, (nee Eilden), (b. 1803), aged 34, English dairy worker from Biddenden, Kent, England travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maitland" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 6th November 1838, she died in 1891 5
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Vidler (post 1700) +

  • William Vidler (1758-1816), English nonconformist minister and editor, tenth child of John and Elizabeth Vidler, born at Battle, Sussex 6
  • Horace Jack Vidler (1905-1953), English footballer
  • Alexander Roper "Alec" Vidler (1899-1991), noted English Anglican priest, theologian and historian of religion
  • Bob Vidler (1957-2023), Australian cricketer who played four first-class matches for New South Wales from 1977–1978 and 1978–1979
  • Steven Vidler (b. 1960), Australian Australian Film Institute Award winning actor, known for Two Hands (1999), The Thin Red Line (1998) and See No Evil (2006)
  • Steven Vidler (b. 1977), retired Scottish middleweight judoka
  • Ken Vidler (b. 1954), Australian sprint canoer
  • Ivor Percy Kidd Vidler (1909-1976), Australian public servant


  1. Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=226
  2. Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=227
  3. Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=228
  4. Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=229
  5. Ship Voyages to New South Wales (Retrieved 11th July 2021). Retrieved from https://indexes.records.nsw.gov.au/ebook/list.aspx?Page=NRS5313/4_4780/Maitland_5 Nov 1838/4_478000079.jpg&No=230
  6. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 Jan. 2019


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