Abbeydale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The name Abbeydale is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in or near an abbey. More specifically, the surname Abbeydale was originally derived from the settlement of Abdy, a family estate in Yorkshire. The surname also has an occupational origin, and signifies one who was employed at an abbey. 1

Early Origins of the Abbeydale family

The surname Abbeydale was first found in Yorkshire, where Robert and Johannes del Abdy were registered in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 2 3Another source notes that Robert del Abdy was similarly listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls at that time. 1

Further north in Scotland, Abdie is a parish, in the district of Cupar, Fifeshire. 4 "The parish, anciently called Lindores, was formerly of much greater extent than at present, including the lands of the parish of Newburgh." 5

Back in England, Stapleford Abbot's in Essex was home to another branch of the family. "The fine old mansion of Albyns, the residence of the Abdy family, built by Inigo Jones, is situated here. In the church are also monuments to the family of Abdy; to John, Lord Fortescue, one of the justices of the court of common pleas; and his son Dormer, the last lord." 6

Early records of the name mention Henry de Abde in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, County Lancashire. Robert del Abbay, was documented in 1332, in County Lancashire. 2 William de Mikelfield del Abbay, was recorded during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) in Somerset. 7 Robert de Abbey of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. George Abbey registered at Magdelen College, Oxford in the year 1594. Robert del Abdy, Johannes del Abdy, et Agnes, uxor ejus, and Johannes del Abdy, et Margareta, uxor ejus, were recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379. 2

Early History of the Abbeydale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abbeydale research. Another 213 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1577, 1579, 1583, 1600, 1612, 1615, 1620, 1630, 1631, 1640, 1643, 1648, 1655, 1662, 1670, 1686, 1688, 1689, 1691, 1704, 1727, 1730, 1733, 1748, 1750, 1776, 1791 and 1846 are included under the topic Early Abbeydale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Abbeydale Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Abbeydale were recorded, including Abdy, Abdie, Abde, Abdey, Abdee, Abdye, Abbdy, Abbdey and many more.

Early Notables of the Abbeydale family

Distinguished members of the family include Anthony Abdy (1579-1640), East India merchant of London, Sheriff of London (1630-1631); Sir Thomas Abdy, 1st Baronet (1612-1686), an English lawyer and landowner; Sir Anthony Abdy, 2nd Baronet (1655-1704), an English landowner; Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy, 3rd Baronet (1688-1733), English lawyer and landowner; Sir...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Abbeydale Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Abbeydale family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Abbeydale family emigrate to North America: Mathew Abdy, who sailed to Virginia in 1635; Nicholas Abdey to Virginia in 1637; Roger Abdy to America in 1640; and John Abdee to Maryland in 1670. Samuel and George Abdy were living in Bruce County, Ontario in 1867..

The Abbeydale 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: Tenax et fidelis
Motto Translation: Persevering and faithful.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.