Waddham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Waddham family

The surname Waddham was first found in Devon where the village and seat of the Wadhams was recorded as being held by Ulf in the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086, who also held the lands before the Conquest. The Domesday Book was a census of all England commissioned by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of Britain. At this census Ulf, a Saxon, is recorded as holding from the King as a tenant, the small village and farm holdings including 8 wild mares and 12 cattle. 1

Another source notes: "Wadham in Knowstone parish, the original residence of the Wadhams, is one of the few Devon manors noticed in ' Domesday,' as continuing in the same Saxon hands from the reign of the Confessor, and the Lysonses suggest it as not improbable that the holder, Ulf, may have been the ancestor of the Wadham family. There is at any rate nothing to militate against this hypothesis. " 2

"The village of Branscombe, [in Sidmouth, Devon] with its partially Norman church, claims a niche not merely in county but in general history, from its personal connections. Soon after the Conquest the property of a family named after the place, it passed to the Wadhams, by whom it was held for eight generations. Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, the last owners of that name, founding Wadham College, appropriated thereto great portion of their wealth. When Nicholas Wadham died, in 1609, he left his estate to the families of Wyndham and Strangways. A monument in the church is appropriated to Dorothy Wadham. The Wadhams lived in an old house still standing, called Edge, or Egge. " 2

The church of St. Martin in the town of Liskeard, Cornwall "contains two inscriptions, recording two benefactions bequeathed for charitable purposes; and a memorial for Joseph Wadham, who died in 1707, who is described as the last of that family whose ancestors were the founders of Wadham College, Oxford." 3

Early History of the Waddham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waddham research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1472, 1498, 1499, 1501, 1502, 1513, 1514, 1515, 1516, 1517, 1529, 1531, 1532, 1534, 1535, 1542, 1556, 1558, 1596, 1609, 1618 and 1645 are included under the topic Early Waddham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waddham Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Waddham include Wadham, Wadhams, Waddams, Waddam, Woddom, Woddam, Wodham, Wodhams, Waddeham, Wadeham and many more.

Early Notables of the Waddham family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Nicholas Wadham (c. 1472-1542) of Merifield, English politician, Member of the Parliament for Somerset in 1529, High Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset (1498-1499) and (1534-1535), High Sheriff of Devon (1501-1502) and (1514-1515) and High Sheriff of Wiltshire (1516-1517); Nicholas Wadham (1531/1532-1609), English benefactor of Wadham College, Oxford; and his wife, Dorothy Wadham (née Petre) (1534/1535-1618), his widow who carried through with her husband's wishes. Florence Wyndham (née Wadham) (died 1596) was the daughter of Sir John Wadham of Merifield and sister of...
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Waddham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Waddham family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: George Wadham who settled in Virginia in 1663; Richard Wadham settled in Barbados in 1685.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print