The name Hodly first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in East Hoathly (Hoathley) or West Hoathly (Hoathley), parishes in Sussex. "Of the truth of this derivation there can be no doubt." [1]
Of the two, West Hoathley is the oldest, dating back to 1121 when it was known as Hadlega. East Hoathley dates back to 1287 when it was known as Hodlegh. Both literally mean "heathy woodland clearing" or "woodland clearing where heather grows." [2]
The surname Hodly was first found in Sussex, where William de Hodlegh was listed in the Subsidy Rolls in 1296. [3]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hodly research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1798, 1676, 1761, 1706, 1757, 1706, 1711, 1776, 1711, 1676, 1761, 1678, 1746, 1678, 1676, 1761, 1643 and 1705 are included under the topic Early Hodly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Hodly has appeared include Hoadley, Hoadly, Hodly, Hoadely, Hodely and others.
Distinguished members of the family include Benjamin Hoadly (1676-1761), Bishop of Bangor, Hereford, Salisbury and Winchester, who was born in Westerham, Kent. John Hoadly, Archbishop of Armagh [q. v.], was his brother.
Benjamin Hoadly (1706-1757), was an English physician, son of Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Winchester [q. v.] and was born on 10 February 1706 in Broad Street, London.
John Hoadly (1711-1776), was an English poet...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hodly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Hodly arrived in North America very early: John Hoadley, who sailed to New England in 1640 and Mrs. Hoadley, to San Francisco with her children in 1860.