|
![Show Contents]() Awdrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Awdrey familyThe surname Awdrey 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 Awdrey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Awdrey research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1183, 1830 and 1902 are included under the topic Early Awdrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Awdrey Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Awdrey have been found, including Awdry, Audrey, Audrie, Awdrie, Awdree, Audree and many more. Early Notables of the Awdrey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Awdrey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
 Awdrey 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: Awdrey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Thomas Awdrey, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Glenlora" in 1873
- Mary Awdrey, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Glenlora" in 1873
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
|
Awdrey migration to New Zealand 
England
Scotland
