Show ContentsDoidge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Doidge has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from the baptismal name Dod, the short form of Roger. [1] Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.

Early Origins of the Doidge family

The surname Doidge was first found in Yorkshire where Doge filius Arnaldi was listed in the Pipe Rolls in 1196. In nearby Lancashire, Wigot filius Doge was listed there in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1214 and later Dogge was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1246. In Gloucestershire, Robert and Nicholas Dogge were listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1206. [2]

To the south and west, in Stoke-Climsland, Cornwall "Climson belonged formerly to the family of Doidge, who had their seat there." [3]

Early History of the Doidge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doidge research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1214, 1515, 1546, 1559, 1583, 1595, 1610, 1620, 1629, 1639, 1650, 1651, 1655, 1656, 1674, 1697 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Doidge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doidge Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Doidge include Dodge, Doidge, Doge, Doige, Doddge, Doges, Dodges, Doidges and many more.

Early Notables of the Doidge family

Notables of the family at this time include Leonard Digges (c.1515-c.1559), English mathematician and surveyor, credited with the invention of the theodolite; Sir Thomas Digges (1546-1595), an English mathematician and astronomer; Sir Dudley Digges (c.1583-1639), an English diplomat and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1610 and 1629, known as a "Virginia adventurer," an investor who ventured...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doidge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Doidge family to Ireland

Some of the Doidge 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 Doidge migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Doidge Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Clara Doidge, (b. 1879), aged 23, Cornish housekeeper travelling aboard the ship "Umbria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 2nd March 1902 en route to Thompson, Pennsylvania, USA [4]

Canada Doidge migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doidge Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Miss Susannah Doidge, (b. 1830), aged 25, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [5]
  • Miss Jane Doidge, (b. 1830), aged 25, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [5]
  • Miss Frances Doidge, (b. 1849), aged 6, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [5]
  • Miss Jane Doidge, (b. 1853), aged 2, Cornish settler departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [5]
  • Miss Eliza Doidge, (b. 1834), aged 21, Cornish servant departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking [5]

Australia Doidge migration to Australia +

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

Doidge Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Edward Doidge, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Theresa" in 1847 [6]
  • Adelaide Doidge, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Theresa" in 1847 [6]
  • Hannah Doidge, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Theresa" in 1847 [6]
  • Mr. Richard Doidge, (b. 1836), aged 21, Cornish blacksmith departing from Soton on 3rd October 1856 aboard the ship "Balnaguith" arriving in Port Fairy (Belfast), Victoria, Australia on 17th January 1857 [7]

New Zealand Doidge 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:

Doidge Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Doidge, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir George Grey" in 1864
  • Harriet Doidge, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir George Grey" in 1864
  • Thomas Doidge, aged 35, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "City of Auckland" in 1872

Contemporary Notables of the name Doidge (post 1700) +

  • Lester P. Doidge, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from New York County 10th District, 1937, 1938
  • Matthew James Doidge (b. 1970), English first-class cricketer
  • Geoffrey Quinton Michael Doidge (1954-2022), South African politician and was South Africa's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Minister of Public Works (2008-2010)
  • Norman Doidge, Canadian psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, medical researcher, essayist, and author
  • Frederick Widdowson Doidge GCMG (1884-1954), journalist in New Zealand and England and a National Party member in the New Zealand House of Representatives


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) THERESA 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847Theresa.htm
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf


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