Show ContentsOdling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Odling is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Odling family lived in Warwickshire.

Early Origins of the Odling family

The surname Odling was first found in Warwickshire at Maxtoke, a parish, in the union of Meriden, Atherstone division of the hundred of Hemlingford. "

This place, written Machintone in Domesday Book, is therein certified as having woods one mile in length and half a mile in breadth. William de Odingsells, in the reign of Henry III., had a charter of free warren in all his demesne lands here; and his son and successor claimed by prescription, in the reign of Edward I., a court-leet, with gallows, tumbrell, and assize of bread and beer, which were allowed." 1

Early History of the Odling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Odling research. Another 48 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1130 is included under the topic Early Odling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Odling Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Odingsells, Odingsell, Odingells, Odingell, Odingsleigh, Odingsly, Odingslie, Odingsley and many more.

Early Notables of the Odling family

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

Migration of the Odling family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Odling or a variant listed above: Thomas Odingsells who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1635.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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