Show ContentsJudd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Judd name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Judd is derived from the names Judd and Jutt, which are pet forms of the personal name Jordan. These names are derived from Jurd, a common abbreviation of Jordan, and feature the common interchange of voiced and voiceless final consonants. 1

Early Origins of the Judd family

The surname Judd was first found in Herefordshire where John Judde was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1204. Alan and John Jutte wqere listed in the Assize Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1260.

As a forename the first entry was Judde Rampe who was found in the Assize Rolls of 1246. This custom continued as Judde Clubbe was found in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1260 and Judde de Halifax was found in Yorkshire in 1309. 1

The Judson variant was generally found later as in John Judson in Yorkshire in 1324 and Henry Juddessone in Cheshire in 1370. Again, this variant literally means "son of Judd or Jutt. " 1

"Hampshire is at present the home of the Judds, but there are a few of the name in the adjacent county of Wiltshire. In the 13th century Jud was a name well represented in Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire." 2

"Most of the Judsons, both in England and America, trace their origin to the neighbourhood of Leeds, and the surname is still common in Yorkshire." 3

Up north in Scotland, "Thomas Judison, and other Scottish merchants complained that their vessel was captured and sunk by the English during a truce, 1359. Andrew Yutsoun was provost of Edinburgh, 187." 4

Early History of the Judd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Judd research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1424, 1531, 1550, 1577, 1592, 1619, 1634, 1659, 1662 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Judd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Judd Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Judd were recorded, including Judd, Judson and others.

Early Notables of the Judd family

Distinguished members of the family include Joseph Judson (born 1619-1690), English-born, Connecticut settler, local official and militia officer. He was born in Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire, to William Judson (c. 1592-1662) and Grace (d. 1659). In 1634, at the age of 15, Joseph Judson emigrated with his parents and two younger brothers, Jeremiah and...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Judd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Judd World Ranking

In the United States, the name Judd is the 1,839th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 5 However, in Australia, the name Judd is ranked the 833rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,720 people with that name. 6 And in New Zealand, the name Judd is the 490th popular surname with an estimated 1,394 people with that name. 7


Judd migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Judd family emigrate to North America:

Judd Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Judd, who settled in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1630
  • Thomas Judd, who arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1634 8
  • Herbert Judd, aged 16, who settled in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport"
  • Christ Judd, who arrived in Virginia in 1642
  • Eliza Judd, who landed in Virginia in 1642 8
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Judd Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Christopher and Elizabeth Judd, who settled in Virginia in 1742
  • Rowland Judd, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 8
Judd Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • H B Judd, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 8
  • D Judd, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 8
  • E C Judd, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 8
  • C. Judd, who settled in San Francisco in 1852
  • Ephriam, John, and William Judd, all, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Judd Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Arthur Major Judd, who settled in Arizona in 1924

Judd migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Judd Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Arza Judd, who arrived in Montreal in 1793
  • Mr. William Judd U.E. (b. 1729) born in Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, USA who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick c. 1783 then in 1799 resettled in Ontario he served in the Prince of Wales Regiment 9
Judd Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Judd, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1834

Judd migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Judd Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Judd, (b. 1792), aged 21, British Convict who was convicted in Essex, England for life for felony, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
  • Mr. Henry Judd, (b. 1811), aged 17, English stone mason who was convicted in Bridgewater, Somerset, England for life for house breaking, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1844 11
  • Thomas Judd, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Henry Judd, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on February 22, 1834, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 13
  • John Judd, English convict from Essex, who was transported aboard the "Arab" on February 22, 1834, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Judd migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Judd Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Judd, aged 16, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • G Judd, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
  • William Judd, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • William Judd, aged 38, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • Ann Judd, aged 30, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Judd (post 1700) +

  • Naomi Judd (1946-2022), American county music singer and songwriter, best known as part of the duo 'The Judds' with daughter Wynonna, posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022
  • Wynonna Judd (b. 1964), multi award-winning American country music singer, daughter of Naomi Judd, inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022
  • Walter Henry Judd (1898-1994), American politician, statesman and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
  • Ashley Judd (b. 1968), American actress, daughter of Naomi Judd and sister of Wynonna Judd
  • Charles Hubbard Judd (1873-1946), American psychologist, a leading figure in the development of a 'science' of education
  • Bernice F. Judd, American politician, Prohibition Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954 14
  • Arthur S. Judd, American politician, First Selectman of Bethel, Connecticut, 1888, 1896-98; Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Middlebury, 1906 (Democratic) 14
  • Arden L. Judd, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Connecticut State House of Representatives from Stratford, 1910 14
  • Archibald R. Judd, American Republican politician, Burgess of Hamburg, Pennsylvania, 1960; Candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate 11th District, 1960 14
  • Alfred B. Judd, American politician, Member of Connecticut State Senate 10th District, 1869 14
  • ... (Another 54 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Charles Edward Judd, aged 31, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping on collapsible B 15
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Albert John Judd, American Coxswain from Michigan, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 16


Suggested Readings for the name Judd +

  • In America Since 1607 by Walter I. Farmer.

  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  9. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  12. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832
  13. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Arab voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1834 with 230 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/arab/1834
  14. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  15. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  16. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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