Show ContentsOldys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Oldys

What does the name Oldys mean?

Oldys is a name that came to England in the 11th century wave of migration that was set off by the Norman Conquest of 1066. Oldys comes from the Old English given name Aldus. Ald, the first part of the name, means old.

Early Origins of the Oldys family

The surname Oldys was first found in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire in the south east of England, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Soon after, Rudolphus Aldous was recorded in Yorkshire in 1168 as holding considerable estates and lands, and Robert Aldous was recorded in Norfolk in 1230.

"Aldous is an ancient east country name which at present has its principal home in and around Harleston in this county, though still found in Ipswich and Stowmarket. Aldus was the name of an Ipswich bailiff in 1654 (W.), and the name of Aldhuse was established in Stowmarket in the reign of Elizabeth (H.). In the forms of Aldus and Alduse it occurred in the reign of Edward I. in Norfolk, Notts, Lincolnshire, and Oxfordshire (H. R.). We learn from Blomefield's "Norfolk" that Aldous was the name of the rector of Wreningham in that county in 1393, and that Thomas Aldous of Starston, Norfolk, died in 1740 at the age of 100: Aldhouse is also an old Norfolk name." 1

Early History of the Oldys family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oldys research. Another 36 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1284 is included under the topic Early Oldys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Oldys Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Oldys include Aldis, Aldous, Aldhouse, Aldus, Aldiss, Oldis and many more.

Early Notables of the Oldys family

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

Migration of the Oldys family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Oldyss to arrive on North American shores: Nathan Aldis who settled in Massachusetts, 1640; he was made freeman 1640 and was a Deacon of the town. He died March 15; 1670; had at least two sons from which many of the North American family name descended..



  1. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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