Wadey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
Ireland

The Wadey surname comes from a Scandinavian personal name, which came from the Old Norse "Valþiófr," composed of the elements "val" meaning "battle," and "þiofr," or "thief."

Early Origins of the Wadey family

The surname Wadey was first found in Roxburghshire where they had been Lords of the manor of Waldeve, near Kelso, from ancient times. 1

"This family, long settled near Kelso, co. Roxburgh, have at different times written themselves Waitho, Watho, Waltho, and Waldie. " 2

However another source notes that the family could have originated further south in England: "As Waltho or Waldie the name crept northwards into Roxburghshire, and there the surname has flourished for centuries." 3

Early History of the Wadey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wadey research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1152, 1400, 1439, 1508, 1526, 1531 and 1547 are included under the topic Early Wadey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wadey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Waldie, Waddy, Waddie, Waldy, Waitho, Waltho and others.

Early Notables of the Wadey family

More information is included under the topic Early Wadey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wadey family to Ireland

Some of the Wadey 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.

Wadey migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wadey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Agnes Wadey, aged 23, who landed in America from London, in 1904
Montague Matthew Wadey, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States from Wealdstone, England, in 1912
Walter J. Wadey, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1920
Percy Wadey, aged 25, who settled in America, in 1921

Wadey migration to Australia +

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

Wadey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Henry Wadey, (b. 1820), aged 15, English farm boy who was convicted in Sussex, England for life for theft, transported aboard the "England" on 6th June 1835, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
Charles Wadey, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Morley" in 1840 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Wadey (post 1700) +

Alan Nigel Charles Wadey (b. 1950), former English cricketer

The Wadey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful.

Citations +

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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. 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)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MORLEY 1840. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1840Morley.htm