Show ContentsHoddinott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hoddinott reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on the Norman name Odinet, from which the more commonly known Odo is derived. Apart from the aforementioned patronymic origin, the place name could also mean "pleasant valley," from the Welsh "hawdd" meaning "pleasant" or "peaceful" and "nant," a "glen or valley." 1

Early Origins of the Hoddinott family

The surname Hoddinott was first found in Shropshire at Hodnet, a village and civil parish in the union of Drayton, in the hundred of North Bradford. 2

The first record of the place name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Odenet. 3

"The Hodnets, or Hodnetts, derive their name from the Shropshire parish of Hodnet. During the 13th century there was a powerful family in the county that took the name of De Hodenet from either the manor or the parish of the name." 4

Early History of the Hoddinott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoddinott research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Hoddinott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoddinott Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Hoddinott has been recorded under many different variations, including Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoddinott family

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

Hoddinott Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Hoddinott is the 429th most popular surname with an estimated 109 people with that name. 5

Ireland Migration of the Hoddinott family to Ireland

Some of the Hoddinott family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hoddinott migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Hoddinotts were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Hoddinott Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • G. Hoddinott, who settled in Swain's Island in 1827
  • S. H. Hoddinott, aged 24, who immigrated to America, in 1892
Hoddinott Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Martin Hoddinott, aged 15, who landed in America from Bradford, England, in 1910
  • Dora Hoddinott, aged 23, who settled in America from Aston Somerville, England, in 1910
  • Jack Hoddinott, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States from Aston Somerville, England, in 1910
  • John Hoddinott, aged 45, who settled in America from Ilchester, England, in 1914
  • Leslie John Hoddinott, aged 14, who immigrated to the United States from Ilchester, England, in 1914
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Hoddinott migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hoddinott Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Hoddinott, who settled in Exploits Burnt Island, Newfoundland in 1844 6
Hoddinott Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Walter Hoddinott, aged 25, who landed in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1922
  • Ethel Hoddinott, aged 27, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1923
  • Thlma Hoddinott, aged 0, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland in 1923

Australia Hoddinott migration to Australia +

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

Hoddinott Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Hoddinott, English convict from Somerset, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Hoddinott (post 1700) +

  • Alun Hoddinott CBE (1929-2008), Welsh composer, former Professor of Music, University College, Cardiff, Wales, eponym of the BBC Hoddinott Hall (Welsh: Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC)
  • Francis "Frank" Hoddinott (1894-1980), Welsh association footballer
  • Diana Hoddinott (b. 1945), British actress, best known for playing Annie Hacker, the wife of Jim Hacker, in Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister
  • John Hoddinott Ph.D., Canadian Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta
  • David Hoddinott, award winning Canadian artist


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  6. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  7. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849


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