Show ContentsHoddlestom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Hoddlestom was derived from a pre-existing place named Huddleston in the West Riding of Yorkshire. 1 2 The place name is in turn derived from the Old English personal name Hudel, and are said to be originally of Saxon descent. 3

Early Origins of the Hoddlestom family

The surname Hoddlestom was first found in Cumberland, where they originally held Millom Castle at Millom, now in Cumbria . Godard be Boyvill was granted a manor on the site and held the Manor of Millom c. 1134. His granddaughter married into the Hudleston family and ownership was passed in c. 1240. John Hudleston was given a licence to crenellate in 1335. Over the centuries the castle has fallen into ruin and is now used as a farmhouse. 4

The Curia Regis Rolls of 1200 included Richard de Hudelesdun in Yorkshire at that time. 5

The parish of Sawston in Cambridgeshire was home to a branch of this illustrious family in early times. "The ancient manor-house here of the Huddleston family was visited by Queen Mary, who spent some time in it." 6

"Hoddlesden Hall, in the ancient parish of Whalley, [Yorkshire] was probably the residence of the Hoddlestons or Huddlestons of former times. An old family of Huddleston owned the manor of Westhall, Whittington (Whittaker's "Richmond"). Huddlestone was a well - known name in Lincoln from the 14th to the 16th century, during which period six mayors and one sheriff of the city bore the name." 7

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Willelmus de Hodilston as holding lands there at that time. In Cumberland, the "Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III." included: John de Hodeleston, Cumberland, 20 Edward I (during the 20th year of King Edward I's reign.) 4

Early History of the Hoddlestom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hoddlestom research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1496, 1517, 1553, 1554, 1557, 1583, 1608, 1655, 1698 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Hoddlestom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hoddlestom Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Hoddlestom are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Hoddlestom include: Huddleston, Hoddleston, Hodleston, Hiddleston, Hiddlestone and many more.

Early Notables of the Hoddlestom family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir William Huddleston who inherited the manor of Sawston in Cambridge in 1496 through his marriage to Isabel, fifth daughter of John, Marquess of Montecute. Sir John Huddleston (1517-1557) of Sawston, Cambridgeshire, was an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Cambridgeshire in October 1553, April 1554 and November 1554. Richard Huddleston (Hudleston) (1583-1655), was an English Benedictine monk, studied philosophy and divinity for a few years in the English College at Rome. He was born in...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hoddlestom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hoddlestom family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Hoddlestom or a variant listed above: John Huddleston, who settled in Maine in 1622; Valentine Huddlestone, who settled in Maryland in 1663; Thomas Huddleston, who came to Maryland in 1775.



The Hoddlestom Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Soli Deo honor et gloria
Motto Translation: Honour and glory be to God alone.


  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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