Show ContentsBodin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient history of the Bodin name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in the village of Bodden, Staffordshire, where traces of the family dating from before the Norman Conquest have been found.

Early Origins of the Bodin family

The surname Bodin 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 Bodin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bodin 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 Bodin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bodin Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Bodin include Boden, Boyden, Bodin, Bodinus, Boydinus, Boidin and many more.

Early Notables of the Bodin family

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

Bodin Ranking

In the United States, the name Bodin is the 14,404th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [3] However, in France, the name Bodin is ranked the 252nd most popular surname with an estimated 14,619 people with that name. [4]


United States Bodin migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Bodin or a variant listed above:

Bodin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Bodin, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 [5]
  • Ambrose Bodin, who arrived in New England in 1658 [5]
Bodin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Elisabet Bodin, who arrived in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1755 [5]
  • Cath Elisabet Bodin, who landed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1759 [5]

Canada Bodin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Bodin Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Mr. Jacques Bodin, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 9th April 1642 [6]

New Zealand Bodin 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:

Bodin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • James Bodin, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blairgowrie" in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Bodin (post 1700) +

  • Edward Longstreet Bodin (1894-1983), American mystery writer who founded the "Spiritual Party" as a platform for a run for President of the United States in the 1952 presidential election
  • Don Bodin, American music composer, producer and songwriter living in Los Angeles
  • Billy Paul Bodin (b. 1992), English professional footballer who plays for Championship club Preston North End
  • Yannick Bodin (1942-2023), French politician who was a member of the Senate, representing the Seine-et-Marne department
  • Yannick Bodin (b. 1942), French politician, former member of the Senate of France
  • Simone Micheline Bodin (1925-2015), known professionally as Bettina or Bettina Graziani, was a French fashion model of the 1940s and 1950s
  • Martin Bodin (1903-1976), Swedish cinematographer
  • Kévin Bodin (b. 1987), French professional footballer, who currently plays for Lannion FC
  • Étienne Soulange- Bodin (1774-1846), French biologist botanist and army officer who is commemorated by his hybrid magnolia, Magnolia × soulangeana
  • Claude Bodin (b. 1952), French politician, Member of the National Assembly of France and represents the Val-d'Oise department
  • ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Bodin 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.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  6. Debien, Gabriel. Liste Des Engagés Pour Le Canada Au XVIIe Siècle. Vol. 6, Laval University, 1952. (Retreived 24th May 2018). Retrieved from https://lebloguedeguyperron.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/130-liste-des-contrats-dengagement-pour-la-nouvelle-france-releves-a-la-rochelle-entre-1634-et-1679/


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