Show ContentsAppledore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Appledore family

The surname Appledore was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, [1] indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Appledore, held by a steward of the Archbishop of Canterbury who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Appledore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Appledore research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1430, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Appledore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Appledore Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Appledore, Appledorfield, Appledorefield, Appulderfield, Apukdorfield, Apuldrefield, Apulderfield, Appeldorfield, Apelderfield and many more.

Early Notables of the Appledore family

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


Australia Appledore migration to Australia +

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

Appledore Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Richard Appledore, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Phoebe" in 1846 [2]
  • Mary Ann Appledore, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Phoebe" in 1846 [2]
  • Emma Appledore, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Phoebe" in 1846 [2]
  • Thomas Appledore, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Phoebe" in 1846 [2]
  • John Appledore, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Phoebe" in 1846 [2]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PHEOBE/PHOEBE 1845. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1846Phoebe.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook