Show ContentsDoudell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Doudell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Doudell

What does the name Doudell mean?

Ireland already had an established system of hereditary surnames when the Strongbownians arrived. Often the two traditions blended together quite well due to some of their basic similarities, but the incoming Anglo-Norman system brought in some forms that were uncommon amongst the Irish. One of these Anglo-Norman anomalies was the prevalence of local surnames, such as Doudell.

The local surnames of these Strongbownian invaders referred to places in Normandy, or more typically England, but eventually for those Anglo-Normans that remained in Ireland, the nicknames referred to places or geographical features of the island: they became true local names. The Doudell family appears to have originally lived in a place called Dovedale or Dowdale in Yorkshire. 1

Another source claims the name was originally from D'Ovesdale Manor in Litlington, Cheshire. 2

The surname Doudell belongs to the large category of Anglo-Norman habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The Gaelic form of the Doudell surname is Dubhdal, this is one of the few instances where the element dubh is not derived from the adjective which means black.

Alternatively, the name Dowdale could mean "valley frequented by doves." 3

Early Origins of the Doudell family

The surname Doudell was first found in Yorkshire, at Dowdale where the first records of the family appear in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379: Johannes de Dowedale; Willelmus de Dowedale; and Willelmus Doudale who all held lands there at that time. 1 Adam Dowedall was listed in Yorkshire in 1401. 2

In Cheshire, John de Uvedale alias de Ovedale was listed her in the Feet of Fines for 1304; Peter Douedale was listed in 1336; and Hugh de Uuedale in the 13th century. 2

The introduction to Ireland where the name is most popular, dates back to Strongbow's invasion of Ireland and was "prominent in the Pale since the Anglo-Norman invasion." 4 The Irish Dowdalls may have come from Dovedale in Derbyshire, England and settled in County Louth in the thirteenth century. Some of the most famous of the early immigrants are: Sir Robert Dowdall (died 1482), an Irish judge who held the office of Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas for more than forty years; his son, Thomas Dowdall, also spelt Dowdale, Douedall, or Dowedall, (died c. 1492) , an Irish barrister and judge who held the office of Master of the Rolls in Ireland; George Dowdall (1487-1558), an Irish cleric who was twice Archbishop of Armagh; James Dowdall (died 1600) was a Roman Catholic merchant and martyr from Drogheda, Ireland; and his cousin, Sir James Dowdall (died 1584), an Irish judge who briefly held office as Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

Early History of the Doudell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doudell research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1482, 1487, 1558, 1584, 1600, 1641 and 1658 are included under the topic Early Doudell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doudell Spelling Variations

During the Middle Ages, a single person often had their name recorded by church officials and scribes many different ways. Names were typically spelt as they sounded, which resulted in many different spelling variations. The many versions of the name Doudell to have been recorded over the years include: Dowdall, Dovedale, Dowdale, Dowdell, Dowdle and others.

Early Notables of the Doudell family

Sir Robert Dowdall (died 1482), an Irish judge who held the office of Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas; Christopher Dowdall of Castle Dowdall; Sir William Dowdall of Kilfinny, County Limerick; James Dowdall (d. 1600), Irish Roman Catholic martyr; Sir James Dowdall (died 1584)...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doudell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Doudell family

Ireland's Great Potato Famine left the country's inhabitants in extreme poverty and starvation. Many families left their homeland for North America for the promise of work, freedom and land ownership. Although the Irish were not free of economic and racial discrimination in North America, they did contribute greatly to the rapid development of bridges, canals, roads, and railways. Eventually, they would be accepted in other areas such as commerce, education, and the arts. An examination of immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Doudell: William Dowdell who settled in New England in 1761; James Dowdall settled in Virginia in 1788; Charles, James, and William Dowdall, arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.
  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. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. MacLysaght, Edward, More Irish Families. Dublin: Irish Academic Press, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-0126-0)

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