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![Show Contents]() Wodham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Early Origins of the Wodham familyThe surname Wodham 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 Wodham familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wodham 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 Wodham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Wodham Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Wodham are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Wodham include: Wadham, Wadhams, Waddams, Waddam, Woddom, Woddam, Wodham, Wodhams, Waddeham, Wadeham and many more. Early Notables of the Wodham familyDistinguished 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 Wodham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Wodham familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Wodham or a variant listed above: George Wadham who settled in Virginia in 1663; Richard Wadham settled in Barbados in 1685.
- 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
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