Show ContentsJodrey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Jodrey dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Derbyshire, where the family was found since the early Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Jodrey family

The surname Jodrey was first found in Derbyshire where "the family are traced to the Peak of Derbyshire in the year 1286, and there till the latter end of the XVIII century the elder line continued. William Juaderell, the head of the family, temp. Edward III, served under the Black Prince in the wars in France." 1

Yeardsley in Cheshire was another ancient family seat. "The lands [of Yeardsley] appear to have been the property of the Jodrells since the time of Henry VI.: Sir Francis Jodrell, of Henbury, is the present proprietor." 2

Early History of the Jodrey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jodrey research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1716 is included under the topic Early Jodrey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jodrey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Jodrey have been found, including Jodrell, Jaderell, Jaudrell, Jawdrell, Jodrel and others.

Early Notables of the Jodrey family

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

Migration of the Jodrey family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Jodrey, or a variant listed above: Elizabeth Jodrell settled in Barbados in 1672.



The Jodrey 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: Non sibi sed patriae natus
Motto Translation: Not born for himself, but for his country.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook