Show ContentsHodge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Hodge came from the baptismal name Roger which was nicknamed Hodge. [1] As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honour of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Hodge family

The surname Hodge was first found in Lincolnshire where Hogge (with no forename) was recorded in the Feet of Fines for 1208 and later in the Curia Regis Rolls for Cumberland in 1212. These entries may be for the same person or not. William Hogge was listed in Cornwall in 1297 and Alicia Hogges was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. [2] Robert Hogge was listed in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1284. [3]

In Yorkshire, the first records of the name were found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. That rolls had a multitude of listings including: Johannes Hodgeson; Thomas Hogge; Johannes Hoggeson; Ebbota Hoggese, and Ricardus Hoge. The last entry was listed as a servant of Roger (Hodge.) [1]

Further to the north in Scotland, the first entries for the family were quite late: "Laurence Hoige, witness in Glasgow, 1550 (Protocols, I). Mariota Hodge is recorded in Edinburgh in 1625 (Retours, Edinburgh, 545), and Thomas Hodge was merchant burgess there in 1629. Thomas Hodgis was burgess of Glasgow in 1487. " [4]

Early History of the Hodge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodge research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1267, 1625, 1629, 1645, 1664, 1665, 1688, 1703, 1714 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hodge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hodge Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Hodge has been recorded under many different variations, including Hodge, Hodges and others.

Early Notables of the Hodge family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Nathaniel Hodges M.D. (1629-1688), an English physician, known for his work during the Great Plague of London and his written account entitled Loimologia. He was the son of Dr. Thomas Hodges, vicar of...
  • Sir William Hodges, 1st Baronet (1645?-1714), was an English merchant in London and politician. He acquired a fortune in the Spanish trade and became a director of the Bank of England in 1703. He was...

Hodge World Ranking

In the United States, the name Hodge is the 518th most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. [5] However, in Australia, the name Hodge is ranked the 438th most popular surname with an estimated 8,612 people with that name. [6] And in New Zealand, the name Hodge is the 523rd popular surname with an estimated 1,320 people with that name. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Hodge as 737th with 9,121 people. [8]

Ireland Migration of the Hodge family to Ireland

Some of the Hodge family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hodge migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Hodge or a variant listed above:

Hodge Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Hodge, who settled in Maine in 1623
  • Edward Hodge, who arrived in Virginia in 1653 [9]
  • Thomas Hodge, who landed in Maryland in 1670 [9]
  • Robert Hodge, who arrived in Maryland in 1679 [9]
  • John Hodge, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 [9]
Hodge Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Andrew Hodge, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1731 [9]
Hodge Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • James Hodge, aged 20, who arrived in New York, NY in 1842 [9]
  • Mr. James Hodge, (b. 1812), aged 30, Cornish miner departing from Falmouth aboard the ship "Orient" arriving in the United States on 19 May 1842 [10]
  • Mr. Richard Hodge, (b. 1833), aged 21, Cornish miner departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "May Flower" arriving in Philadelphia, USA on 7 October 1854 [10]
  • Mrs. Christina Hodge, aged 29, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • Miss Christina Hodge, aged 5, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Hodge Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. James Hodge, (b. 1866), aged 34, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th February 1900 en route to Ironwood, Michigan, USA [11]
  • Miss Elizabeth Ann Hodge, (b. 1881), aged 23, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving in Ellis Island, New York on 21st August 1904 en route to Bangor, Pennsylvania, USA [11]
  • Miss Ethel Hodge, (b. 1885), aged 19, Cornish settler from Mullion, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Baltic" arriving in Ellis Island, New York on 5th August 1904 en route to Iron Mountain, Michigan, USA [11]
  • Mr. Samuel Hodge, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to Tonopah, Nevada, USA [11]

Canada Hodge migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hodge Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Stepn Hodge, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. Timothy Hodge U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 [12]

Australia Hodge migration to Australia +

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

Hodge Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. David Hodge, (Mossman), Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [13]
  • James Hodge, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Mr. John Hodge (b. 1791), aged 40, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 4th January 1831, sentenced for 7 years for stealing a pound of mutton, transported aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" on 22nd July 1831 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia [15]
  • Mr. James Hodge, (b. 1812), aged 21, English convict who was convicted in Somerset, England for life for robbery, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 27th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [16]
  • Mr. Thomas Hodge, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 27th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [16]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Hodge migration to New Zealand +

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:

Hodge Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Hodge, aged 26, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
  • Mr. John Hodge, (b. 1814), aged 26, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 [17]
  • R P Hodge, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1842
  • Andrew Hodge, aged 24, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [18]
  • Sarah Hodge, aged 28, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Hodge migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [19]
Hodge Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • John Hodge, who settled in Barbados in 1695

Contemporary Notables of the name Hodge (post 1700) +

  • Daniel Allen "Danny" Hodge (1932-2020), American Olympic silver medalist wrestler and boxer, born and raised in Perry, Oklahoma
  • Ralph Hodge (1953-2018), American college basketball head coach for Olivet Nazarene University
  • Philip Gibson Hodge Jr. (1920-2014), American engineer who specialized in mechanics of elastic and plastic behavior of materials
  • Walter Hartman Hodge (1896-1975), American lawyer and judge
  • William Hodge (1874-1932), American director, producer, performer and writer
  • Paul W. Hodge (b. 1934), American astronomer, editor of the Astronomical Journal from 1984-2004
  • Megan Hodge (b. 1988), American two-time gold and bronze medalist volleyball player at Penn State
  • Julius Hodge (b. 1983), American professional NBA basketball player
  • Harold Hodge (1904-1990), American toxicologist, first president of the Society of Toxicology
  • Charles Hodge (1797-1878), American Principal of Princeton Theological Seminary
  • ... (Another 21 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Cecil G Hodge, British Chief Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [20]


The Hodge 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: Dant lucem crescentibus orti
Motto Translation: Rising from the crescents they give light.


Suggested Readings for the name Hodge +

  • Philo Hodge (1756-1842) of Roxbury, Connecticut by Barbara Jean Matthews.
  • The Hodge/Hodges Book: Focus on Virginia-Tennessee-Arkansas Descendants of William Riley Hodge, M.G..

  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. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. 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)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. 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)
  10. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  12. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  13. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
  14. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
  15. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  17. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  18. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html


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