Show ContentsDoddson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Doddson has a rich and ancient history. It is an Anglo-Saxon name that was originally derived from Dodd or Dodda. They were Old English personal names common in England from Lincolnshire on south. The name Doddson denotes "son of Dodd or Dodda." 1

"Alwinus Dodesone occurs in Domesday as a tenant in chief, Hertfordshire, 142. He was doubtless of Saxon blood." 2

Early Origins of the Doddson family

The surname Doddson was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Alternatively, the family could have originated in Dutson, a hamlet northeast of Launceston in Cornwall.

Early rolls include the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 which listed: Benedict Dod, Northamptonshire; Peter Dod, Oxfordshire; Richard Dod, Cambridgeshire; and William Dod, Salop (Shropshire.) 3

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 were the first to list the "Dodson" variant: Magota Dodson; Johannes Dod; William Daudson; Willelmus Daud; and Johannes Daudson. 3

Charles Dodgson (1832-1898), the famed English writer of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and many more, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll was born in Daresbury, Cheshire. His father, also named Charles Dodgson (c. 1722-1795) was born in Howden, Yorkshire. And his father, Christopher Dodgson (1696-1750) was born there too.

Early History of the Doddson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doddson research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1066 and 1379 are included under the topic Early Doddson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doddson Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Doddson include Dodson, Dodshon, Doddson, Doddshon, Doddsaun, Dodsaun, Dodsen, Dodsin, Doddsen, Doddsin, Dodsine, Doddsan and many more.

Early Notables of the Doddson family

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

Migration of the Doddson family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Benjamin Dodson settled in Virginia in 1635; Edward Dodson settled in St. Christopher in 1635; George Dodson settled in Barbados in 1678; with his wife Elizabeth, and son George.



The Doddson 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: Virtus semper eadam
Motto Translation: Virtue is always the same.


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  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)


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