Show ContentsChiddick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Chiddick is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Chiddick family lived in the parish of Rochdale in Lancashire. They were granted the lands near Chadwick in this area by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066. "Lancashire is the true home of the surname. This surname is to be met with in every town in Lancashire. It must have crossed the Atlantic at an early period, as it is strongly represented in the States directories." [1]

"The Chadwicks of Chadwick in Rochdale parish are a very old and distinguished family dating back from the present to the 14th century; the hamlet of Chadwick has been in their possession since the family was founded: Healey Hall has been for many centuries a seat of the family. [2]

Another source notes an alternate spelling of the hamlet: "Chadwyke, a hamlet in the parish of Rochdale, the property of the family in the XIV. cent." [3]

Early Origins of the Chiddick family

The surname Chiddick was first found in Staffordshire at Mavesyn Ridware, a small village and civil parish now in the in Lichfield District. The family claim descendancy from the Cawardens and ultimately the Malvesyns who came with the Conqueror. [4]

"The Chadwicks belong to one of the most ancient and eminent of Staffordshire families, known as the Chadwicks of Ridware in this county." [2] But the earliest record in rolls of the family lies in the aforementioned Lancashire where Nicholas de Chadwyke, was listed temp. Edward III (during the reign of King Edward III.) Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Elena Chadwyk. [1]

Chadwick is also "a hamlet and manor, in the parish and union of Bromsgrove, Upper division of the hundred of Halfshire, Droitwich and E. divisions of the county of Worcester." [5] However, we can find no relationship with the locale and the surname.

Early History of the Chiddick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chiddick research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1080 and 1335 are included under the topic Early Chiddick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chiddick Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Chadwick, Chadwicke, Chadwyck, Chaddick, Chadwich, Shadduck and many more.

Early Notables of the Chiddick family

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

Ireland Migration of the Chiddick family to Ireland

Some of the Chiddick 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 Chiddick family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Chiddick or a variant listed above: Charles Chadwick who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; and an important branch of the family settled in Toronto, Canada. Elizabeth Chadwick settled in Potomac Maryland in 1728.


Contemporary Notables of the name Chiddick (post 1700) +

  • David Chiddick CBE, English academic, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Chair of the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust


The Chiddick 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: In candore decus
Motto Translation: There is honour in sincerity.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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