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| Origins Available: |
| | England |
Wadman is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a "bold, brave man" having derived from the Old English word "hwatmann." In some cases, the name could have been derived from the Middle English word "wodman," from "wodeman," which meant "woodman." 1
Another source claims the name could denote "a dealer in woad for dyeing as in Wadster." 2
The surname Wadman was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Wateman was listed in Dorset and Wetman was recorded in Herefordshire. 3 Singular names were quite common at the time. In Devon, the Pipe Rolls of 1168 have a listing for Algar filius Watman and in Oxfordshire, John Watemon was recorded at Eynsham in 1264. The Hundredorum Rolls for 1279 included an entry for Hugo Weteman. Richard Whateman (Wateman) was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Essex in 1327. 1
A scan of early records in Norfolk, show Symon le Wademan in 1296 and in Yorkshire, Richard de Norham, waddeman was listed as a Freeman of York in 1375. These last two entries would denote the occupational nature of the names. John Wodeman was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296 and William Wadman was listed in Yorkshire in 1417. 1
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wadman research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1375, 1417, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Wadman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Wadman were recorded, including Wademan, Wadman, Waddman, Wadmen and others.
Distinguished members of the family include
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 Wadman family emigrate to North America: