Sudbery History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Sudbery name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in one of the settlements called Sudbury in the counties of Derbyshire, Middlesex, and Suffolk. The surname Sudbery belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Sudbery family

The surname Sudbery was first found in Suffolk at Sudbury, a borough and market-town, and the head of a union, locally in the hundred of Babergh. "This place, originally called South Burgh, is of great antiquity, and at the period of the Norman survey was of considerable importance, having a market and a mint. A colony of the Flemings who were introduced into this country by Edward III. for the purpose of establishing the manufacture of woollen-cloth, settled here, and that branch of trade continued to flourish for some time. " 1

The Domesday Book survey in 1086 A.D. list Sudbury as being held by William the Chamberlain and Otto the Goldsmith from the King. The village consisted of a mill, a market, 2 horses, 24 pigs, and 120 sheep. It is the site of the ancient church of St. Gregory's founded by St. Felix in the 7th century. 2

One of the first records of the names was Hugh de Suthberia who was listed in the Pipe Rolls in 1159. 3 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Robert de Sudbyr in Norfolk; and Ralph de Sudebyre in Essex. 4

Simon of Sudbury (died 1381), was "Archbishop of Canterbury, son of Nigel Theobald and his wife Sarah, people of respectable position, born at Sudbury in Suffolk in the parish of St. Gregory. " 5

William Sudbury (fl. 1382), was an early English theologian, a Benedictine monk of Westminster, and graduated as doctor of divinity at Oxford, where he was an opponent in theology in 1382. 5

Early History of the Sudbery family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sudbery research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1375, 1379, 1381 and 1431 are included under the topic Early Sudbery History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sudbery Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sudbery were recorded, including Sudbury, Sudbery, SudBerry, Sudberey and others.

Early Notables of the Sudbery family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sudbery Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sudbery migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Sudbery family emigrate to North America:

Sudbery Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Sudbery who settled in Virginia in 1638

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print