Show ContentsBoydell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Boydell name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Cheshire, where it is believed they took their name from the place-name Boydell, which most people believe was located in Norfolk.

Early Origins of the Boydell family

The surname Boydell was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Boydell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Boydell research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1450 and 1800 are included under the topic Early Boydell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Boydell Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Boydell were recorded, including Boydell, Boydall and others.

Early Notables of the Boydell family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Edward Boydell of Pulcroft

Ireland Migration of the Boydell family to Ireland

Some of the Boydell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Boydell migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Boydell family emigrate to North America:

Boydell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Boydell who settled in Massachusetts in 1634
Boydell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Boydell, who landed in New England in 1716 1

Australia Boydell migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Boydell Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Boydell, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "America" on April 4, 1829, settling in New South Wales, Australia 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Boydell (post 1700) +

  • Catherine S. Boydell, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1956 3
  • John Boydell (1710-1804), English engraver and print publisher, born at Dorrington in Shropshire, Lord Mayor of London in 1790 4
  • Peter Boydell (1920-2001), English lawyer and administrator, Chancellor of Truro (1957-1997)
  • Josiah Boydell (1752-1817), Scottish painter and engraver, born at the Manor House, near Hawarden, Flintshire, nephew of Alderman John Boydell 4
  • Dr. Tony Boydell, Canadian Professor/Director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at Royal Rhodes University (1996-)
  • Dr. Anthony Boydell, Canadian Professor/Director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at Royal Rhodes University (1996-)


  1. 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)
  2. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1829 with 176 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1829
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 16) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 5 Feb. 2019


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