Show ContentsGawdor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gawdor family

The surname Gawdor was first found in Gloucestershire where the family name was first referenced in the year 1221 when Reginald Gaudi held estates in that shire. However, some of the family held estates at Wallington in Norfolk at early times. "Wallington Hall, formerly the seat of the Coningsbys and the Gawdys, is a handsome mansion, situated in a well-wooded park, in which are the tower and spire of the ancient church, now a ruin." 1

Early History of the Gawdor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gawdor research. Another 170 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1430, 1455, 1487, 1578, 1589, 1597, 1603, 1606, 1612, 1613, 1627, 1629, 1639, 1640, 1648, 1654, 1661, 1666, 1669 and 1699 are included under the topic Early Gawdor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gawdor Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Gawdor include Gawdy, Gawdey, Gaudy, Gawdie, Gaudie, Gaudey, Gordy and many more.

Early Notables of the Gawdor family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Gawdy of Gawdy Hall; Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy of West Harling, Norfolk, High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1627; Framlingham Gawdy (1589-1654), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1648; and Sir William Gawdy, 1st Baronet (1612-1669), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1661 to...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gawdor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gawdor family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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