Show ContentsDuddridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Duddridge

What does the name Duddridge mean?

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Duddridge surname lived close to a region called Dodda's ridge. The name is derived from the local of Dodridge, likely in Devon or the southwest country. 1

Early Origins of the Duddridge family

The surname Duddridge was first found in Devon where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Richard de Doderig as holding lands there at that time. 2 Later Richard Doderugge was listed in Devon in 1353. 3

Early History of the Duddridge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duddridge research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1218, 1555, 1610, 1621, 1625, 1628, 1646, 1650, 1656 and 1666 are included under the topic Early Duddridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Duddridge Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Duddridge are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Duddridge include: Dodderidge, Doderidge, Dodderige, Doderige, Dotteridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Duddridge family

Sir John Doddridge (1555-1628), an English lawyer, justice of the king's bench, Member of Parliament. He was son of Richard Doddridge, merchant, of Barnstaple. 4 Pentecost Dodderidge (died 1650), was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Duddridge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Duddridge family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Duddridge or a variant listed above: Davie Dodderidge who settled in Barbados in 1635; along with Jarvis and Thomas; George Dodderidge settled in Virginia in 1670 along with John; Thomas Dodderidge settled in Virginia in 1635..


Contemporary Notables of the name Duddridge (post 1700) +

  • Paul Duddridge (b. 1966), British writer, comedy agent, producer, and director, born in Cardiff, Wales
  • Sir James Duddridge (b. 1971), British politician, Minister of State for International Trade (2022), Lord Commissioner of the Treasury (2022)


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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