Show ContentsCadd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Cadd name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Cadd is derived from the Old English personal name Cada. With the addition of the diminutive suffix -man, this personal name was popular as late as the 13th century in the forms of Cadman and Cademan. Cadd was originally derived from a pet form of this name. 1

Alternatively, the name could have been Cadia in Gaelic and in this case, it literally meant "the house of God." 2

Early Origins of the Cadd family

The surname Cadd was first found in Yorkshire where Robert Cadi was listed as one of the Knights Templar in 1185. Later, Roger Cadye was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296; and Henry Cadey, Cady was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 3

Later rolls revealed Margery Cade in Cambridgeshire in 1373 and William Cade in Lincolnshire in the same year. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Matilda Cadi; Robertus Cadison; and Johannes Cady, 1379 as all holding lands there at that time. 4

In Somerset, William Cade and Richard Cade were both listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

Further north in Scotland where many of the family claim descent, John Cady was a tenant under the earl of Douglas in the barony of Kylbouho in 1376 and Thomas Cady was presbyter in Glasgow in 1440. Peter Cady was burgess of Edinburgh, in 1484, and three persons named Cadie are in Edinburgh Marriage Register from 1606. 6

Early History of the Cadd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cadd research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1240, 1327, 1574, 1577 and 1641 are included under the topic Early Cadd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cadd Spelling Variations

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 Cadd were recorded, including Caddy, Caddie, Caddey, Cade, Cadde, Caide, Caidey, Caidde, Kade, Kaddie, Kaiddy and many more.

Early Notables of the Cadd family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Caddy of Cumberland


Cadd migration to the United States +

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 Cadd family emigrate to North America:

Cadd Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mary Cadd, who landed in Virginia in 1716 7

Cadd migration to Australia +

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

Cadd Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Cadd, aged 34, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "British Empire" 8
  • Thomas Cadd, aged 34, a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 8
  • Ann Cadd, aged 34, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 8
  • Elizabeth Cadd, aged 13, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 8
  • Edmund Cadd, aged 10, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "British Empire" in 1850 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. 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.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  7. 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)
  8. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BRITISH EMPIRE 1850. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850BritishEmpire.htm


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