Oddunot History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe name Oddunot reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is based on 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 Oddunot familyThe surname Oddunot 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 Oddunot familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oddunot research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1116 and 1237 are included under the topic Early Oddunot History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Oddunot Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Oddunot have been found, including Hodenet, Hignett, Hignet, Hodnet, Hodnett, Hodenett, Hodinett, Hodinutt, Hodinut, Hodinott, Hodinot, Hoddenett, Hoddinet, Hoddinutt and many more. Early Notables of the Oddunot familyMore information is included under the topic Early Oddunot Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Oddunot family to IrelandSome of the Oddunot family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the Oddunot familyFor many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Oddunot were among those contributors: 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.
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