Piddler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Piddler family name dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name comes from when an early member worked as a person who worked as the pedder. Pedlars often carried his wares in a pack as he traveled throughout the countryside. But the name was originally derived from the Old English word pedder, which meant wicker worker or someone who worked with baskets from ped, a pannier or basket. 1

"In various English dialects signifies a Pedlar; but it must not be regarded as a corruption of that word; a ped, in the eastern counties, means a species of hamper without a lid, for the conveyance of fish, eggs, chicken, &c,; and the person who traffics in such small articles is therefore very properly styled a Pedder." 2

Early Origins of the Piddler family

The surname Piddler was first found in Oxfordshire where Robert Piedurs was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1199. Years later, William Le Pedelare was listed in Worcestershire in 1307 and Ralph le Pedeler was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 3

Early History of the Piddler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Piddler research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1656, 1679 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Piddler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Piddler Spelling Variations

Piddler has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Piddler have been found, including Pedler, Pedlar, Pedlow, Pedley, Pegler, Pedder and many more.

Early Notables of the Piddler family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Piddler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Piddler family to Ireland

Some of the Piddler family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Piddler family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Piddlers to arrive on North American shores: Francis and Robert Pedler, who settled in St. Christopher in 1633; Roger Pedlers, who settled in Virginia in 1655; George Pedley, who settled in Virginia in 1660.

The Piddler 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: Animo non astutia
Motto Translation: By courage, not by craft.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)