Show ContentsBaddly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Baddly is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo Saxon tribes of Britain. The first people to bear this distinguished name lived at Badley, a parish, in the union and hundred of Bosmere and Claydon, E. division of Suffolk, 1 or at Baddeley Green in Staffordshire. The latter dates back to 1227 when it was known as Baddilige and literally meant "woodland clearing or a man called Badda." 2

Other sources note that the family could have originated at Baddiley, a parish in Cheshire, near Nantwich. 3 4 5

Early Origins of the Baddly family

The surname Baddly was first found in Hampshire where Robert de Badelea was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1187. Later, Gilbert de Badele was found in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1227 and John de Baddyleye in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1327. 6

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include William de Badeleye, Essex and Geoffrey de Badele, Suffolk. 3

Robert de Badele, Norfolk, Henry III— Edward I was listed in the Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. 7

Early History of the Baddly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baddly research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1608, 1646, 1648, 1650, 1653, 1688, 1703, 1704 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Baddly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baddly Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Baddly are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Baddly include: Baddely, Baddeley, Baddiley, Badley, Badly, Badely, Badgely, Badlely and many more.

Early Notables of the Baddly family

Distinguished members of the family include John Battely (Batteley) (1646-1708), an English antiquary and clergyman, Archdeacon of Canterbury (1688-1708); and his brother Nicholas Battely (1648-1704), an English clergyman and antiquary, editor of William Somner’s Cantuaria Sacra. Richard Baddeley...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baddly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Baddly family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Baddly or a variant listed above: John Badeley who settled in Virginia in 1623; Thomas Badley settled in Virginia in 1642; Tom Badgley settled in San Francisco, California, in 1852.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  5. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)


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