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![Show Contents]() Awdray History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Awdray familyThe surname Awdray was first found in Wiltshire 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 Norton, held by William de Audrieu, a Norman Baron from Audrieu near Caen in Normandy who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Early History of the Awdray familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Awdray research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1183, 1830 and 1902 are included under the topic Early Awdray History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Awdray Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Awdray were recorded, including Awdry, Audrey, Audrie, Awdrie, Awdree, Audree and many more. Early Notables of the Awdray familyMore information is included under the topic Early Awdray Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Awdray familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Awdray arrived in North America very early: Eustache Audry, aged 22, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1918; Francois Audry, aged 42, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1901; and Louis Rene Audry, aged 24, who arrived at Ellis Island from Paris, in 1906..
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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