Show ContentsRawdyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Rawdyn surname is a habitational name, taken on from a place name in West Yorkshire. The place name comes from the Old Norse "rauðr" meaning "red," and "du-n," or "hill." Other records show the name translated as “a dweller in the rough valley.” 1 Today, Rawdon is a village in the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

Early Origins of the Rawdyn family

The surname Rawdyn was first found in West Riding of Yorkshire where the village of Rawdon dates back to before the Domesday Book where it was listed as Roudun and was held be Robert de Bruis. 2 Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Rawdon. The name was derived from the Old Norse word rauthr + the Old English word dun and meant "red hill." 1 "Rawdon, in the parish of Guiseley in this county, is the original seat of this ancient family, which is traced to Thor de Rawdon, whose son Serlo lived in the reign of Stephen." 3

Early History of the Rawdyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rawdyn research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1582, 1604, 1610, 1662, 1668, 1669, 1684, 1695, 1720, 1750 and 1793 are included under the topic Early Rawdyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rawdyn Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Rawdon, Rawden, Rawdan, Rawdyn, Rawdin, Rowden, Rowdon and many more.

Early Notables of the Rawdyn family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Francis Rawdon (1582-c.1668), English noble from Rawdon, Yorkshire; and his son, Sir George Rawdon, 1st Baronet (1604-1684) at Rawdon, Yorkshire, England who moved to Moira, County Down. Marmaduke Rawdon (1610-1669), was an English traveller and antiquary...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Rawdyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Rawdyn family to Ireland

Some of the Rawdyn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Rawdyn family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Rawdyn or a variant listed above: Richard Rowdon, who settled in Lynn, MA sometime between 1620 and 1650; Robert Rowden, who settled in Virginia in 1636; Thomas Rawdon, who settled in Barbados in 1655.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.


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