Show ContentsBaudrie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Baudrie is derived from "bow-dry, the bad or nasty dwelling; but the last syllable may be from dreath, draith, gravel, sand. Baudree was the name of a French Protestant family, and would seem to be from Baldric." 1 2

Another source claims the name is derived from the Old German name Balric, meaning "bold rule," common in the French forms Baldri, Baudri. 3

Another source presumes the name to be of Norman origin as "the Haia or Castle of Baldry is mentioned in Normandy, 1180, as is Anchetil Baldrie (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae)." 4

Early Origins of the Baudrie family

The surname Baudrie was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where the ancient Latin form of the name Baldric was found. Hugo filius Baldrici was also found in the same source. 5 Another early Latin entry for the family was Baldricus who was listed at Holme, now known as Holme-next-the-Sea in Norfolk in a rolls that included entries from 1127-1154. Frequently seen as a forename and surname at this time, Baldri de Grendal was listed at Lincolnshire and Baudricus de Lawdecote was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Surrey in 1208. William Baldri was one of the famed Knights Templar in Hertfordshire in 1185. 3

Baldricus de Noneton was recorded Henry III-Edward I (during the reigns of Henry III to Edward I.) 6

In Wiltshire, Aluredus Balriht was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1197 and in Oxfordshire, we found Henry Belrich there in the Pipe Rolls of 1203. In Suffolk, Alexander Baudri was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. Again, in Oxfordshire, we found Richard Balrich at Oseney in 1238. Worcestershire records show Walter Balrich in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has two entries for the family, both in Huntingdonshire: Edward Baldri; and Matilda Baldri. 2 In Somerset, early records there show Alicia Balrich and Matylda Baldry, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III.) 7

We found this interesting early quote: "A power next to the king's was pos­sessed, from the days of Centwine, in the southern parts of Wessex, by a king or sub-king Baldred, whose influence and importance . . . are rendered more mani­fest by the circumstance that the Welsh assign to a prince of Devon and Cornwall, living at the time, the Saxon name of Baldric.-Lappenberg-Thorpe, Anglo-Saxon Kings." 8

"The Baldrys of Ipswich possess a very ancient Suffolk name, which was well known in Ipswich and Stowmarket in the 15th and 16th centuries: some of the name served as bailiffs or mayors of Ipswich in the reigns of Henry VI. and Henry VIII. " 9

Early History of the Baudrie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Baudrie research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1481, 1500, 1504, 1510, 1512, 1515, 1523, 1525, 1595, 1600, 1665, 1754, 1780, 1783, 1785, 1793, 1794, 1810, 1818 and 1828 are included under the topic Early Baudrie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Baudrie Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Baudrie include Bawdry, Bawdrie, Baudrie, Baudry, Bordery, Bawdery, Bauderie, Bawdrey, Baudrey and many more.

Early Notables of the Baudrie family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Baldry (c. 1481-1525) of Ipswich, Suffolk, an English politician. He was the son of Thomas Baldry (d.1500) of Ipswich and brother of Thomas Baldry, Mayor of London for 1523. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Ipswich in 1504, 1512 and 1515.Joshua Kirby Baldrey (1754-1828), was an English engraver and draftsman, practised both in London and Cambridge between 1780 and 1810, working both in the chalk and dot manners. Many of his works were printed in colours. He exhibited portraits at the Royal Academy in 1793 and 1794. Among his best works...
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Baudrie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Baudrie migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Baudrie or a variant listed above:

Baudrie Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Anne Baudrie, aged 35, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Europa" in 1934 10
  • Anne Baudrie, aged 35, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Europa" in 1934 10


  1. Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  5. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  6. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  7. 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.
  8. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  9. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  10. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


Houseofnames.com on Facebook