Show ContentsDodham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Dodham is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the short form of Rodger or Roger.

Early Origins of the Dodham family

The surname Dodham was first found in Kent where they held a family seat from very early times. The name dates back to the Exon Domesday where a class of men were called Dodomanni, later to be known as Dodeman and Deudman. 1 Dudman was an ancient personal name implying quality or some employment. Goduin filius Dudeman was the first on record of the family having been listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 in Kent. About ten years later, Goduine Dudumani was listed ay Bury in Suffolk c. 1095 and later Dudeman was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Cornwall in 1206. Thomas, Walter and John Dudeman were all listed in London in 1199 and Gilbert Dodeman was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: Henry Dodeman in Wiltshire; William Dodeman in Huntingdonshire; and Peter Dodeman in Kent. 3

Early History of the Dodham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dodham research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1066 is included under the topic Early Dodham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dodham Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Dodham have been found, including Dodman, Doddman, Duddman, Dudman, Doidman and many more.

Early Notables of the Dodham family

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

Migration of the Dodham family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Dodham, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : John Dodman who settled in Virginia in 1637; Henry Dudman settled in Virginia in 1635; Phillip Dudeman who settled in Philadelphia in the year 1733.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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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