Odale History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Odale

What does the name Odale mean?

The name Odale is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in Odell, or Woodhill, which were in Bedsfordshire. The surname Odale comes from the Old English words wad, and hyll, which mean woad (a plant collected for the blue dye produced by its leaves), and hill.

Early Origins of the Odale family

The surname Odale was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Odale family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Odale research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Odale History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Odale Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Odale are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Odale include: Odell, O'Dell, Odehull, Wodehull, Wodhull and others.

Early Notables of the Odale family

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

Migration of the Odale family to Ireland

Some of the Odale family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Odale family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Odale or a variant listed above: William Odell, who came to New England in 1630; Henry Odell, who arrived in Virginia in 1654; as well as Elizabeth Odell and her husband, who settled in Boston in 1820..