Riddall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Riddall family
The surname Riddall was first found in Belgium, where the name became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. Riddall is of Norman origin, the surname having been created from the personal name Ridel. The source of this personal name is somewhat uncertain: some scholars think it may come from the Old French word 'ridel,' which meant "small hill," others cite the Germanic word 'rid,' which meant "ride." The Normans, originally of Viking origin established their presence in Normandy in the 900s, and by the second half of the 11th century held present day Belgium, Holland, most of France, much of the British Isles, Southern Italy, and parts of Spain. Forms of this surname likely traveled amongst Norman controlled territories.
The name was a baronial name in Aquitaine, France, where the first recorded instance of Riddall is of Gerard Riddell, Baron of Blaye, who was granted lands of the Abbey of Fons Dulcis near Bordeaux in circa 1030. One branch of the family possessed estates in Normandy in 1165. A Geoffry Ridel, recorded in Normandy in 1180 was later recorded in Scotland and received grants from King David I. The name is also known to have accompanied William I's Norman Conquest of England, which began in 1066. Bearers of Riddall were certainly a most influential family.
Early History of the Riddall family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Riddall research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1628 is included under the topic Early Riddall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Riddall Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Riddel, Riddle, Riddall, Ridal, Ridel, Riddle, Riddler, Riddell, De Riddler and many more.
Early Notables of the Riddall family
More information is included under the topic Early Riddall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Riddall migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Riddall Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
- Sarah Riddall, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1624 1
- Sarah Riddall, who settled in Virginia in 1640 with her husband
- Robert Riddall, who landed in Maryland in 1664 1
Riddall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Hugh Riddall, who arrived in America in 1805 1
Riddall 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:
Riddall Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Miss. Mary Ann Riddall, (b. 1846), aged 14, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Gananoque" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 9th May 1860 2
- Miss Sarah Riddall, (b. 1841), aged 20, Irish domestic servant, from Armagh travelling from London aboard the ship "Sebastopol" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th December 1861 3
Citations +
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
- New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html