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Waddle History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Waddle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The surname Waddle comes from the place named Wedale, in the parish of Stow, near Edinburgh. As such it is a habitation name, a category of surnames derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Waddle family

The surname Waddle was first found in Midlothian, where they had held territories at Wedale in the parish of Stow from ancient times. 1

Most sources agree in this origin, but one claims the name was English having derived from Odell, a parish in Bedfordshire. "For proof, v. Odell. Waddle is a natural variant, but seems confined to America." 2 This researcher noted that the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included a listing for Robert de Wadhulle, Bedfordshire.

But let's return to Scotland where the lion's share of the family claim descent. "The earliest known bearer of the name is Adam de Wedale, 'an outlaw of the King of Scots land,' who appears in 1204. Stephen de Wee ale witnessed a charter of the lands of Swaynystoun to the Hospital of Soltre, c. 1221-24, and Thomas de Wedal was canon of St. Andrews 1280. Laurence de Wedale of Roxburghshire rendered homage in 1296. His seal bears an eight-rayed figure and S' Lavrenci d' Vedal" 3

On this last entry, we must explain the significance of "rendered homage in 1296." King Edward I of England conquered much of lowland Scotland in 1296 and confiscated the lands. To retrieve your lands, you had to "render homage" to him, thereby acknowledging him as the rightful king.

"Symone de Wedale, [was] abbot of Holyrood, Edinburgh, between 1296-1327, as Symon de Wedehale was consecrated bishop of Galloway in 1327. Adam de Wedale, monk of Newbotyl, was witness in proceedings against the Knights Templars in 1309, and Roger de Wedale was canon of Dunblane, 1312, and in 1321 prebendary of Murthlach." 3

Early History of the Waddle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waddle research. Another 330 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1344, 1359, 1370, 1372, 1395, 1400, 1405, 1421, 1424, 1505, 1555, 1557, 1567, 1583, 1600, 1610, 1613, 1617, 1621, 1642, 1672, 1682, 1725, 1793 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Waddle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waddle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Waddel, Waddell, Waddle, Weddel, Weddell, Weddle and many more.

Early Notables of the Waddle family

Notable among the family at this time was John Weddell (1583-1642), sea-captain who in 1617 was master's mate of the East India Company's ship Dragon. "In April 1621 he sailed from England as captain of the Jonas, with three other...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Waddle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waddle Ranking

In the United States, the name Waddle is the 5,597^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Waddle family to Ireland

Some of the Waddle family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waddle migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Waddle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

George Waddle, who arrived in Maryland in 1654 5
William Waddle, who arrived in Maryland in 1662 5
Thomas Waddle, who landed in Maryland in 1670 5

Waddle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nicholas Waddle, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1828 5
John Waddle, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1842 5

Waddle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Waddle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Waddle, aged 21, a laburer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
Elizabeth Waddle, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland

Waddle migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Waddle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Waddle, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 14 years for uttering forged notes, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
George Waddle, aged 28, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Medina" 7
Alexander Waddle, aged 22, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Medina" 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Waddle (post 1700) +

Gregory Thomas Waddle (b. 1967), former American NFL football player, current co-host of "Waddle and Silvy" on ESPN 1000
Christopher Roland "Chris" Waddle (b. 1960), English former professional footballer, manager and current Football commentator, member of the England U21 and England National Teams (1984-1991)
Bryan Waddle (b. 1948), New Zealand-born sports broadcaster, "The voice of New Zealand cricket"
Alan Waddle (b. 1954), former English footballer who played from 1971 to 1993

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MEDINA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/medina1852.shtml