Gawdy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Gawdy family

The surname Gawdy 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 Gawdy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gawdy 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 Gawdy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gawdy Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Gawdy were recorded, including Gawdy, Gawdey, Gaudy, Gawdie, Gaudie, Gaudey, Gordy and many more.

Early Notables of the Gawdy 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...
Sir Francis Gawdy (d. 1606), was an English judge, was, according to the pedigrees in the Harleian MSS., the son of Thomas Gawdy of Harleston, Norfolk, by his third wife, Elizabeth. 2
Sir William Gawdy (1639-1699), was an English painter, born on 4 Oct. 1639, and was the second son of Sir William Gawdy, bart. (d. 1666), of West Harling, Norfolk. 2

Migration of the Gawdy family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Gawdy family emigrate to North America: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print