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Biddulph History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Biddulph History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Biddulph surname is a habitational name taken on from a place in Staffordshire, recorded as Bidolf in the Domesday Book. This place name is derived from the Old English "bi," meaning "beside," along with "dylf," which means "digging." Together, the place name probably described a place near a quarry or mine.

Early Origins of the Biddulph family

The surname Biddulph was first found in Staffordshire at Biddulph, where "Biddulph Hall, at the north end of the parish, was anciently the residence of the Biddulph family." 1 The first record of the family appears to be Thomas de Bidulf, on record in the Assize Rolls in 1199 for that county. Other early records include Roger Biddulph (or de Bydoulf) of Biddulph, who lived during the reign of Edward I (ruled 1272-1307) in Staffordshire; and John de Bydulfe listed in the Subsidy Rolls for that same county in 1332-33. "This ancient family, originally of Biddulph, in the northern parts of Staffordshire, is traced to Ormus, mentioned in the Domesday Survey. He is supposed to have married the Saxon heiress of Biddulph, from whence the name was afterwards assumed." 2

Early History of the Biddulph family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biddulph research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1610, 1612, 1642, 1651, 1652, 1656, 1659, 1661, 1666, 1679, 1683, 1685, 1687, 1689, 1690, 1695, 1701 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Biddulph History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Biddulph Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Biddulph include Biddulph, Bidulf, Bydoulf and others.

Early Notables of the Biddulph family

Distinguished members of the family include

Michael Biddulph (1610-1666) of Elmhurst, English politician, who became a member of the English House of Commons from Lichfield in 1642
Sir Theophilus Biddulph, 1st Baronet (1612-1683), English politician, Member of Parliament for London (1656-1659) and Litchfield (1661-1679)

Biddulph migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Biddulph or a variant listed above:

Biddulph Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Biddulph, who landed in New Jersey in 1679 3

Biddulph Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

V. Biddulph, aged 10, who settled in America, in 1892
Barbara Biddulph, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Scotland, in 1893

Biddulph Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alfred Biddulph, aged 2, who immigrated to America from Birmingham, in 1900
Mary Biddulph, aged 5, who immigrated to America from Birmingham, in 1900
Prudence Biddulph, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States from Birmingham, in 1900
Herbert Biddulph, aged 26, who landed in America from West Bromwich, in 1905
Evelina Biddulph, aged 24, who landed in America from West Brunswick, England, in 1908
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Biddulph migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Biddulph Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Harriett S. Biddulph, aged 42, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1913
Reginald Biddulph, aged 25, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1913
Reginald Vivian Biddulph, aged 25, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1913
Suzette Biddulph, aged 1, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1921
Mary Biddulph, aged 4, who immigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1921
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Biddulph migration to Australia +

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

Biddulph Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Francis Biddulph, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
Mr. John Biddulph, British Convict who was convicted in Stafford, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Biddulph (post 1700) +

Kenneth David "Ken" Biddulph (1932-2003), English first-class cricketer for Somerset between 1955 and 1961
Thomas Tregenna Biddulph (1763-1838), English Evangelical divine, the only son of the Rev. Thomas Biddulph 6
Cyril Biddulph (1887-1918), Canadian stage actor who frequently performed in the United States
Colonel John Biddulph (1840-1921), British soldier, author and naturalist who served in the government of British India
Sir Thomas Myddleton Biddulph (1809-1878), British general, born 29 July 1809, the second son of Robert Biddulph, Esq., of Ledbury 6
Steve Biddulph (b. 1953), Australian author, activist and psychologist
Michael Biddulph (1834-1923), British banker and politician, member of the UK Parliament, made 1st Baron Biddulph in 1903
Robert Biddulph (1801-1864), British Politician, member of the UK Parliament

The Biddulph 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: Sublimiora petamus
Motto Translation: Let us seek higher things.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, 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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 17 June. 2019