Show ContentsCadogan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Cadogan is a Welsh name of old Celtic origin, derived from the personal name Cadogan. This name was originally Cadwugaun in the Old Welsh language.

Early Origins of the Cadogan family

The surname Cadogan was first found in Merionethshire (Welsh: Sir Feirionnydd), made a county in Northwest Wales in 1284, and anciently part of the kingdom of Gwynedd, where they claimed descent from the ancient princes of Wales. Of note was, Cadwgan ap Bleddyn (1051-1111), Prince of Powys; Cadwgan ap Meurig (fl.1045-1074), King of Gwent (1063-1074) and Morgannwg; and Cadwgan of Llandyfái (died 1241), a Welsh cleric, Bishop of Bangor (1215-1236.)

Early History of the Cadogan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cadogan research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1601, 1639, 1642, 1649, 1658, 1661, 1675, 1685, 1700, 1713, 1716, 1722, 1726, 1749, 1752 and 1776 are included under the topic Early Cadogan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cadogan Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Cadogan has occasionally been spelled Cadogan, Cadagan, Caddagan, Caddigan, Cadigan, Cadougan, Cadwgan and many more.

Early Notables of the Cadogan family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

  • General Charles Cadogan, 2nd Baron Cadogan (1685-1776), a British peer, Member of Parliament for Reading (1716-1722), for Newport, Isle of Wight (1722-1726), Governor of Sheerness (1749-1752), and Gov...
  • William Cadogan (1601-1661), was major of horse under the Commonwealth and governor of Trim, was eldest son of Henry Cadogan of Llanbetter. 1

Cadogan Ranking

In the United States, the name Cadogan is the 17,013rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Ireland Migration of the Cadogan family to Ireland

Some of the Cadogan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 164 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Cadogan 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:

Cadogan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Cornls Cadogan, British settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 3
  • Mrs. Mary Cadogan née Sullivan, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Cadogan (post 1700) +

  • Kevin Cadogan (b. 1970), American guitarist, founding member of Third Eye Blind
  • Charles Gerald John Cadogan KBE, DL (1937-2023), 8th Earl Cadogan, styled as Viscount Chelsea until 1997, a British billionaire peer and landowner
  • Frederick William Cadogan DL, JP (1821-1904), styled The Honourable from 1831, a British barrister and Liberal politician, Member of Parliament for Cricklade (1868-1874)
  • Sir John Ivan George Cadogan CBE FIC FRS FRSE FRSC (b. 1930), Welsh organic chemist from Pembrey, Carmarthenshire, Wales
  • William Cadogan (1914-1997), 7th Earl Cadogan
  • George Cadogan (1783-1864), 3rd Earl Cadogan, British Royal Navy officer and politician
  • George Cadogan (1840-1915), 5th Earl Cadogan, British politician
  • Henry Cadogan (1812-1873), 4th Earl Cadogan, styled Viscount Chelsea between 1820 and 1864, British diplomat and politician
  • Henry Cadogan (1868-1908), Viscount Chelsea, British politician
  • Henry Cadogan (1780-1813), British Army officer who fell leading British troops at the Battle of Vittoria
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


The Cadogan 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: Qui invidet minor est
Motto Translation: He that envies is inferior.


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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