Udal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Udal surname comes from the place name Yewdale in Lancashire, which is derived from the Old English word "yew," a type of tree and the Old Norse "dalr," meaning "valley." 1 Literally, the place name means "the dale where yew-trees grow"2

Early Origins of the Udal family

The surname Udal was first found in North West Lancashire at Yewdale. While three distinct sources agree on this origin, one differs. In this case, the author notes that the name could have been Norman in origin implying some of the family at one time emigrated to England. He notes that the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Ansgot de Ouvedale (Uvedale) in Normandy 1180-1195. The same source also notes Walder de Hudal in 1198. 3

Scant records are found today of Yewdale other than one source notes that it is a "valley at the north end of Coniston Lake." 4

Apparently at one time "a family of Udall, or Wedalle, owned the manor of Chingford Comitis, Essex, in the reign of Elizabeth. " 5

Another source notes that Alice de Youdall was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 and later, John Yowdall was listed in Cumbria in 1546. 6

Early History of the Udal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Udal research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1437, 1449, 1455, 1464, 1505, 1524, 1542, 1556, 1560 and 1592 are included under the topic Early Udal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Udal 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 Udal were recorded, including Udall, Udale, Udall, Udle, Yewdale, Yewdall, Youdale and many more.

Early Notables of the Udal family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

John Udall or Uvedale (1560?-1592), was an English Puritan and the fourth and youngest son of Sir William Uvedale. "But as the reputed father died in 1542, probably some eighteen years before the son'...
Nicholas Uvedale or Udall (1505-1556), was an English dramatist and scholar, a native of Hampshire. His relationship with the Uvedale family of Wickham in Hampshire, one member of which, living in 144...

Migration of the Udal family

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 Udal family emigrate to North America: William Udle settled in Carbonear, Newfoundland, in 1798; Patrick Udall settled in Maryland in 1685; John Udall settled in New England in 1751; James Udell settled in Philadelphia in 1862.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-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)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)