Show ContentsCude History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Cude is from the rugged landscape of Wales. It is a Celtic name that was derived from Cudde or Codling, which were both pet-forms of the personal name Cuthbert. 1

Another source claims the name is derived from the "Anglo-Saxon personal name Cod, Coda, Codda [Old English codd, meaning a bag]." 2

During the 16th century, a codder was a worker in leather, a saddler, or a peltmonger. Thus, Cude may also be an occupational surname applied to someone involved in one of these trades.

Early Origins of the Cude family

The surname Cude was first found in Cornwall, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

"The manor of Methleigh, [in the parish of Breage, Cornwall] was formerly the property of Sir Thomas Arundell, of Truthall in Sithney, from whom it passed by sale to the family of Coode, about the commencement of the last century. In this family it has since remained, and it is now the property of Edward Coode, Esq. of St. Austell." 3

"In the church [of Morvall, Cornwall there] are memorials for the families of Mayow, Kendall, and Coode. For William Coode who died in 1637, there is a monument containing figures of himself and his wife, in a kneeling attitude. These are in bas relief on slate; behind each of which is a vine, and on four of their principal branches, are death's heads." 3

Early History of the Cude family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cude research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1586, 1635, 1648, 1672, 1689, 1690, 1709, 1765 and 1777 are included under the topic Early Cude History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cude Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Cude has occasionally been spelled Code, Codd, Codde, Coad, Coade and others.

Early Notables of the Cude family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Code of Gridley Castle in Devon; and John Coode (c. 1648-1709), born in Penryn, Cornwall, he left England...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cude Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cude Ranking

In the United States, the name Cude is the 16,586th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Cude family to Ireland

Some of the Cude family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 98 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Cude migration to the United States +

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Cude:

Cude Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Allin De Cude, who landed in Virginia in 1639 5
Cude Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Edmund Cude, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1903
  • Elizabeth Cude, aged 65, who landed in America, in 1910
  • Anna Cude, aged 17, who settled in America from Rozalin, Austria, in 1911
  • Giovanna Cude, aged 22, who immigrated to America, in 1912
  • William Cude, aged 20, who landed in America from Southampton, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Cude (post 1700) +

  • Mary Cude, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from North Carolina, 2004 6
  • Mark L. Cude, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 28th District, 1996, 1997 6
  • Ernest T. Cude, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 20th District, 1961 6
  • Wilfred Reginald Cude (1910-1968), Welsh-born, Canadian professional NHL ice hockey goaltender


  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. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  4. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  5. 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)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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