Bodel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland
Ireland

The Scottish surname Bodel comes from a place in Lanarkshire, derived from the Middle English words "bothy," meaning a "small hut," and "well," meaning a "spring," or "stream," or "wyell," which denoted a fishing pool in the river."The place name is derived from a 'weyll' or fishpool in the Clyde." 1

Another source notes "the name is supposed, by some, to be derived from Both, an eminence, and wall, a castle, terms applied to the parish from the elevated situation of Bothwell Castle above the river Clyde; others derive it from two Celtic words, both, signifying a dwelling, and ael, or hyl, a river, as descriptive of the castle in its contiguity to the river." 2

Early Origins of the Bodel family

The surname Bodel was first found in Lanarkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, possibly even before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. The earliest record found of the name is of William de Bothvile, who witnessed a grant in Circa 1190-1220. A Roger de Bodevill was a juror on inquisition relating to the lands of Hopkelchoc, in 1259. 1

"As for the antiquity of this name, the first that I have met with is one Arthur Bothwell, of Adam, who was knighted by King James IV., whose son was likewise a knight, called Sir Francis." 3

Early History of the Bodel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bodel research. Another 132 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1342, 1347, 1366, 1369, 1527, 1536, 1578, 1593, 1609, 1617, 1640, 1644, 1663 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Bodel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bodel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Bothwell, Borthwell, Bothwel, Borthwel, Bothewell, Boduel and many more.

Early Notables of the Bodel family

Notable among the family at this time was Richard de Botheuile, provost of Aberdeen in 1342; and James Hepburn Bothwell (1536-1578), 4th Earl Bothwell, Scottish nobleman, third husband of Mary Queen of Scots Adam Bothwell (1527?-1593), was Bishop...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bodel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bodel family to Ireland

Some of the Bodel family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bodel migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bodel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jacob Bodel, who settled in Philadelphia in 1767
Jacob Bodel, whose Oath of Allegiance was recorded in Pennsylvania in 1767
Jacob Bodel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1767 4
Joh Bodel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1796 4
Johann Bodel, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1796
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Bodel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francis Bodel, who arrived in Baltimore in 1832

Contemporary Notables of the name Bodel (post 1700) +

Edward Bodel (b. 1926), American figure skater, who competed in ice dance with Carmel Waterbury Bodel
Carmel Waterbury Bodel (b. 1928), American figure skater, who competed in ice dance with Edward Bodel
Burman Bodel (1911-1969), American movie actor
Andy Bodel (b. 1957), former English professional footballer

The Bodel 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: Obdura adversus urgentia
Motto Translation: Not yielding to provocations.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)