Caddels History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The saga of the Caddels family begins among the people of the ancient tribe of the Picts. They lived at or near the wooded stream derived from the Gaelic word coillie, a wood and dur which means stream.

Early Origins of the Caddels family

The surname Caddels was first found in Banffshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh), former Scottish county located in the northeasterly Grampian region of Scotland, now of divided between the Council Areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire.

One source notes, "the northern Cawdors were disguised as Cadells and de Cadella even in old Scots chroniclers, and they have kept that variety permanently in the South. " 1

Further to the south in England, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Cristina Caudel, Cambridgeshire; William Caudel, Cambridgeshire; and (Prior) de Caudewelle, Bedfordshire. 2

"Cadel was a surname in Oxfordshire and Sussex at the close of the 13th century." 3

Cadell (d. 909), was "King of Ceredigion and afterwards of Powys, one of the six warlike sons of Rhodri Mawr, the most powerful of the early Welsh kings. He was Rhodri's eldest son, and received as his patrimony Ceredigion, with the palace at Dinevwr, and an overlordship over his other brothers. " 4

Cadell (d. 943), was a Welsh prince, the son of Arthvael, who was the son of Hywel. Cadell (d. 1175), was a South Welsh prince, the son of Gruffudd, the son of Rhys, the son of Tewdwr. 4

Early History of the Caddels family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caddels research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1536, 1558 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Caddels History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caddels Spelling Variations

Although Medieval Scotland lacked a basic set of spelling rules, which meant that scribes recorded names according to their sounds it was not uncommon for the names of a father and son to be recorded differently. As a result, there are many spelling variations of Scottish single names. Caddels has been written Cadell, Caddell, Cadel, Cadwell and others.

Early Notables of the Caddels family

More information is included under the topic Early Caddels Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Caddels family to Ireland

Some of the Caddels family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Caddels family

Thousands of Scots left their home country to travel to Ireland or Australia, or to cross the Atlantic for the North American colonies. The difficult crossing was an enormous hurdle, but those who survived found freedom and opportunity in ample measure. Some Scots even fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence. This century, their ancestors have become aware of the illustrious history of the Scots in North America and at home through Clan societies and other organizations. Passenger and immigration lists show many early and influential immigrants bearing the name Caddels: John Cadell who settled in Barbados in 1654; another John arrived in New York in 1774; Elizabeth Cadell arrived in New England in 1767; Albert Cadwell, aged 36, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1921.

The Caddels 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: Vigilantia non cadet
Motto Translation: Vigilance will not miscarry.

Citations +

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)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print