Show ContentsGadberrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Gadberrey

What does the name Gadberrey mean?

The name Gadberrey arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Gadberrey family lived at Cadbury in Devon or Somerset. "There are ancient entrenchments called 'Cadbury Castle' at both the Devonshire and Somersetshire Cadburys." 1

Early Origins of the Gadberrey family

The surname Gadberrey was first found in Cadbury, a parish, in the union of Tiverton, hundred of Hayridge in Devon. "On the summit of a high hill called Cadbury Castle, is an inclosure nearly circular, consisting of a single vallum and fosse, supposed to be either of British or of Roman origin; near it some Roman coins were found in 1827." 2

Alternatively, the name could have originated in Somerset at either North Cadbury or South Cadbury. "Near the village are the remains of one of the most famous ancient fortifications in England: it was situated on the northern extremity of a ridge of hills, and was encircled by four trenches. Numerous Roman coins have been discovered; and the origin of the place may, with much probability, be ascribed to that people." 2

Literally the place name Cadbury means "fortified place or stronghold of a man called Cada." 3 The Somerset parish dates back to Saxon times when it was first listed as Cadanbyrig c. 1000. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the was known as Cadeberie. 4 Hence, the family surname, is conjecturally descended William de Poilley, who would have adopted the name de Cadbury or Cadbury.

Richard Tapper Cadbury (1768-1860), a native of Exeter moved to Birmingham in 1794 where he and Joseph Rutte started a tea and coffee business. Richard's son, John Cadbury (1801-1889) took over the business and was the founder of Cadbury, the chocolate business based in Birmingham.

Early History of the Gadberrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gadberrey research. Another 221 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1319, 1500, 1524, 1627, 1642, 1704 and 1808 are included under the topic Early Gadberrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gadberrey Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Cadbury, Cabbury, Cadbery, CadBerry, Cadburie, Cadebury and many more.

Early Notables of the Gadberrey family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Walter de Cadbury, a prominent 14th century property owner in London; and John Gadbury (1627-1704), an English astrologer, and...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gadberrey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gadberrey family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Gadberrey or a variant listed above: Joel Cadbury who arrived in New York State in 1853.



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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