Show ContentsBodane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Bodane name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in the village of Bodden, Staffordshire, where traces of the family dating from before the Norman Conquest have been found.

Early Origins of the Bodane family

The surname Bodane was first found in Somerset where Richard de Boddene and John de Boddene were both recorded 1 Edward III, (during the first year of the reign of Edward III.) 1

"At a very early period, a family of Bodin, Beaudin, and Beadyn, or Beadon, for the name is thus variously written, enjoyed considerable property in Devon; but whether or not it derived from the Norman, whose name appears on the Roll, we have no means of ascertaining. From the Devonshire Beaudins, the Beadons, now of Gotton House, co. Somerset, claim descent." 2

Early History of the Bodane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bodane research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1156, 1200, 1208, 1401, 1500, 1565 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Bodane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bodane Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Bodane has undergone many spelling variations, including Boden, Boyden, Bodin, Bodinus, Boydinus, Boidin and many more.

Early Notables of the Bodane family

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

Migration of the Bodane family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bodane were among those contributors: James Boyden who arrived in Maine in 1624; Thomas Boyden in New England in 1634 and James Boyden in Delaware in 1682.



The Bodane Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Contra audentior
Motto Translation: Bodly against the enemy


  1. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  2. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.


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