Show ContentsHudnell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Hudnell is an ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the Norman name Odinet, from which the more commonly known Odo is derived. Apart from the aforementioned patronymic origin, the place name could also mean "pleasant valley," from the Welsh "hawdd" meaning "pleasant" or "peaceful" and "nant," a "glen or valley." [1]

Early Origins of the Hudnell family

The surname Hudnell was first found in Shropshire at Hodnet, a village and civil parish in the union of Drayton, in the hundred of North Bradford. [2]

The first record of the place name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Odenet. [3]

"The Hodnets, or Hodnetts, derive their name from the Shropshire parish of Hodnet. During the 13th century there was a powerful family in the county that took the name of De Hodenet from either the manor or the parish of the name." [4]

Early History of the Hudnell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hudnell research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Hudnell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hudnell Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more.

Early Notables of the Hudnell family

More information is included under the topic Early Hudnell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Hudnell family to Ireland

Some of the Hudnell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hudnell family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Hudnell or a variant listed above: Humphrey Hadnett, who sailed to Virginia in 1635; Elizabeth and James Hignett sailed to Maryland in 1666; John Hignett to Maryland in 1675; Francis Hadnett arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1767.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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