Duddy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Ireland

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The original Gaelic form of Duddy was Ó Dubhda. The first portion of the name comes from the word dubh, which means black or dark complexioned. 1

Early Origins of the Duddy family

The surname Duddy was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht. King Niall, brother of Fiachra and descended from Daithi, was one of the last pagan Kings of Ireland. For centuries they were the leading sept of northern Ui Fiachrach. Their territory comprised the baronies of Erris and Tirawley in the county of Mayo and Tireagh in Sligo. 2 They were the traditional Princes of Hy-Fiachra in Connaught. 1

Early History of the Duddy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Duddy research. Another 231 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1354, 1579, 1656, 1706, 1813 and 1891 are included under the topic Early Duddy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Duddy Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname Duddy are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include Dowd, Duddy, Doody, O'Dowd, Dowdy, Dowdie, Doudy, Doudie, Doudd, Doodie and many more.

Early Notables of the Duddy family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Father John O'Duada (d. 1579) one of many Irish Franciscan martyrs when he was tortured and hanged in 1579; and Samuel Doody (1656-1706), an early English botanist...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Duddy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Duddy migration to the United States +

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Duddy or a variant listed above:

Duddy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Duddy, who landed in Baltimore, Maryland in 1811 3
William Duddy, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1811 3
William J Duddy, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1874 3

Duddy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Duddy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Patrick Duddy, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Sea Horse" from Galway, Ireland
Margaret Duddy, aged 18, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Dennis Duddy, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Perseus" in 1834
Richard Duddy, aged 22, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Highlander" in 1834

Duddy migration to Australia +

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

Duddy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Peter Duddy, (b. 1773), aged 46, English farm labourer who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1842 4
Maria Duddy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Mary Ann" in 1849 5

Duddy migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Duddy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

A.H. Duddy, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "British King" in 1883

Contemporary Notables of the name Duddy (post 1700) +

Patrick Duddy, United States Ambassador to Venezuela (2007 to 2008)
Evan Abbott "Sammy" Duddy (1945-2007), Northern Irish loyalist, leading member of the Ulster Political Research Group
John Francis Duddy (b. 1979), Northern Irish middleweight professional boxer
Brendan Duddy, Northern Irish businessman who played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process