Show ContentsHudey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hudey family

The surname Hudey was first found in the parish of Creed in Cornwall where "Pennans or Pennance, a name supposed to have been imposed as a commutation for sins, which the term seems to imply, belonged formerly to the family of Huddy; by them it was sold to Mr. Thomas Lower, brother of the famous Dr. Lower." 1

"Nethway, [Torquay, Devon] at one time belonged to Sir John Hody, Chief Justice of the King's Bench 1440, and the family continued to live there until 1696. Sir William Hody was Lord Chief Baron in 1487." 2

Early History of the Hudey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hudey research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1046, 1092, 1153, 1425, 1436, 1441, 1451, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1522, 1539, 1600, 1659, 1675, 1677, 1679, 1682, 1685, 1689, 1692 and 1707 are included under the topic Early Hudey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hudey Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Hudey has been spelled many different ways, including Huddy, Hoddy, Hoddye, Huddye, Huddey, Hoddey, Hudy, Hody, Hodey and many more.

Early Notables of the Hudey family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir John Hody (d. 1441), Chief Justice of the King's Bench, of an old Devonshire family, "son of Thomas Hody, lord of the manor of Kington Magna, near Shaftesbury, Dorset, and king's escheator there under Henry V, by Margaret, daughter of John Cole of Nitheway, Torbay. From 1425 his name often occurs in the year-books, and he must have become a serjeant-at-law before 1436, for in that year he contributed as a serjeant to the equipment...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hudey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hudey family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Hudeys to arrive in North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  2. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital


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