Woodey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Woodey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Woodey family lived in Leicestershire. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English word wode, meaning wood, and indicates that the original bearer lived near a wood.
Early Origins of the Woodey family
The surname Woodey was first found in Leicester, where they held land in Thorpe Arnold, under the Earl of Leicester. They were descended from Ernald de Vosco, a Norman knight, who came to Britain with the Norman invasion of 1066. After losing these lands, the main branch of the family moved north to Dumfriesshire, Scotland where they held a family seat from about 1150.
Early History of the Woodey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Woodey research. Another 197 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1455, 1478, 1486, 1488, 1495, 1500, 1502, 1539, 1597, 1604, 1610, 1622, 1654, 1661, 1666, 1671, 1672, 1675, 1682 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Woodey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Woodey Spelling Variations
A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Wood, Woods, Wode, Would, Woid, Voud, Vould and others.
Early Notables of the Woodey family
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Wode KS (died 1502) was a British judge, appointed Justice of the Peace for Berkshire in 1478, was made a Serjeant-at-law in 1486 and in 1488 a King's Serjeant, in 1495 he was made a Puisne Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1500 he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; Sir John Wood of Bonnytoun; Sir Andrew Wood (c.1455-1539) Scottish...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Woodey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Woodey family to Ireland
Some of the Woodey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Woodey migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Woodey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Mr. John Woodey, (b. 1809), aged 68, English miner, from Devonshire, England, UK travelling aboard the ship "Kapunda" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 5th February 1877 1
- Mrs. Amelia Woodey, (b. 1817), aged 60, English settler, from Devonshire, England, UK travelling aboard the ship "Kapunda" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 5th February 1877 1
- Mrs. Ada Woodey, (b. 1837), aged 40, Cornish housemaid travelling aboard the ship "Kapunda" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 5th February 1877 1
- Miss Amelia Woodey, (b. 1865), aged 12, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Kapunda" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 5th February 1877 1
Woodey 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:
Woodey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- Robert Woodey, aged 21, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Accrington" in 1863 2
- Mr. Robert Woodey, (b. 1842), aged 21, Cornish farm labourer departing on 18th June 1863 aboard the ship "Accrington" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 5th September 1863 3
The Woodey 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: Tutus in undis
Motto Translation: Safe on the waves.
Citations +