Watdink History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Early Origins of the Watdink family

Early History of the Watdink family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Watdink research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1086, 1581, 1588, 1591, 1644 and 1657 are included under the topic Early Watdink History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Watdink Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Wadding, Wadden, Waddyng, Wading and others.

Early Notables of the Watdink family

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

Migration of the Watdink family to Ireland

Some of the Watdink family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Watdink family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Watdink or a variant listed above: Margaret Wadden from County Wexford who settled in St. John's Newfoundland in 1878; John Wadden settled in Heart's Content in Newfoundland in 1871; his name was also spelled Waddon.