Show ContentsWiddis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Widdis was originally a baptismal name as in "the son of Wydo" which is English for Guido or Guy 1 or it was an Old English name derived from "widuwe, widewe (widow)" 2

Early Origins of the Widdis family

The surname Widdis was first found in Norfolk where William filius Wydo was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. The same roll lists Reginald filius Wydonis in Hunts county. Other early variants of the name include Thomas Wydowe who was listed during the reign of Richard II (1367-1400) and much later Annabella Wydow was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. This latter listing is quite unique as at this time, female entries were very rare. 1

Another source notes Richard Wyduesone listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Bedfordshire in 1309; Peter la Wydewesone in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1326; John la Wydewesone in the Subsidy Rolls for Derbyshire in 1327; and William le Wydusone in the Subsidy Rolls for Staffordshire in 1332. 2

Early History of the Widdis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Widdis research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1297, 1481, 1502, 1505, 1576, 1588, 1594, 1595, 1603, 1604, 1619, 1645, 1732, 1898 and 1990 are included under the topic Early Widdis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Widdis Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Widdow, Wyddow, Wyddowson, Widdowson, Widdas, Widders, Widdis, Widwise, Widdars, Widow, Widows, Widdos, Widdoes and many more.

Early Notables of the Widdis family

Distinguished members of the family include David Vernon Widder (1898-1990), an American mathematician.Giles Widdowes (1588?-1645), was an English divine, born about 1588, son of Thomas Widdowes of Mickleton, Gloucestershire and was probably matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford, in 1603-1604. 3Robert Wydow (d. 1505), was an English poet and musician, born at Thaxted, Essex. "His stepfather, a schoolmaster, educated him and sent him to Oxford. He is...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Widdis Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Widdis migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Widdis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Clara Widdis, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1895
Widdis Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Henry Widdis, aged 44, who settled in New York, in 1904

Contemporary Notables of the name Widdis (post 1700) +

  • Albert M. Widdis, American Democratic Party politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 23rd Circuit, 1915-28; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1916 (alternate), 1920 4
  • Albert Widdis, American politician, Candidate for Circuit Judge in Michigan 3rd Circuit, 1905 4


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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