Coddolf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Coddolf

What does the name Coddolf mean?

The rugged west coast of Scotland in the kingdom of Dalriada is the setting from which came the Coddolf name. The name derives from someone having lived in Cullen in the Hebrides.

Early Origins of the Coddolf family

The surname Coddolf was first found in Cullen, a burgh, seaport, and parish, in the county of Banff. "This place, the origin of the name of which is altogether uncertain, was originally called Inverculan, being bounded on the north and west by the water of Cullen, which falls into the sea on the western side of the parish; and in ancient times it formed part of the parish of Fordyce. Its early history is for the most part involved in obscurity; but there appears to be no reason to doubt the truth of the tradition, that a severe conflict took place here between the Danes and the Scots under Indulfus, in the year 960. The king was killed by an arrow at the head of his troops; but the enemy were completely routed." 1

Cull or Coll are literally derived from the Celtic "dweller at a wood [Gaelic and Irish coill]." 2

Early History of the Coddolf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Coddolf research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1424, 1435 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Coddolf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Coddolf Spelling Variations

In various documents Coddolf has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Cull, Coll, Coole, Cula, Codolf and others.

Early Notables of the Coddolf family

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

Migration of the Coddolf family to Ireland

Some of the Coddolf family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Coddolf family

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Coddolfs to arrive in North America: Passenger lists show the "Children of Colla" settled in Virginia and New England in 1737. The Irish Culls came somewhat later as a result of the potato famines in the 1800'.

The Coddolf 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: Per mare per terras
Motto Translation: By sea and by land.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print