The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Sudleigh family, who lived in Gloucestershire, at Sudely.
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Early Origins of the Sudleigh family
The surname Sudleigh was first found in Gloucestershire where they held a family seat at Sudely Castle. Conjecturally they are descended from the holder of these estates, Harold FitzRalph, said to be the illegitimate son of King Harold, 1 but counter claims say that he was the son of the Earl of Hereford. He was granted these lands by Duke William of Normandy after the Conquest of England in 1066 A.D. The Domesday Book survey of 1086 A.D., shows Harold as holding 6 mills. The Castle was erected soon after as a defense against the Welsh intrusions to the west.
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Early History of the Sudleigh family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sudleigh research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1140 is included under the topic Early Sudleigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Sudleigh Spelling Variations
Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Sudleigh were recorded, including Sudeley, Sudely, Sudly, Sodely, Soudley, Soudly, Soudely and many more.
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Early Notables of the Sudleigh family
More information is included under the topic Early Sudleigh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Sudleigh family
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Sudleigh arrived in North America very early: John Sudley who settled in Carolina in 1717.
England
