Show ContentsPadgett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Padgett family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Padgett family lived in Oxfordshire. The name, however, is a reference to Pachet, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Some of the family remained in Normandy as seen by this entry: "William Pachet, Normandy 1180." 1

Early Origins of the Padgett family

The surname Padgett was first found in Oxfordshire and Derbyshire. Mickleover, Derbyshire was an early homestead of the family. "The manor was given, with Findern, Littleover, and Potlac, by William the Conqueror, to Burton Abbey; Henry VIII. granted these manors to Sir William Paget." 2 Presumably the same Sir William was granted estates in Aston-Upon-Trent. "The manor was granted after the Reformation to Sir William Paget." 2

Early History of the Padgett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Padgett research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1506, 1540, 1547, 1551, 1563, 1572, 1575, 1590, 1609, 1612, 1615, 1617, 1629, 1632, 1637, 1639, 1645, 1647, 1664, 1678, 1679, 1689, 1692, 1701 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Padgett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Padgett 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 Padgett include Paget, Pagit, Pagitt, Pagett, Pagget, Paggett and others.

Early Notables of the Padgett family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Eusebius Pagit (Pagett) (1551?-1617), an English nonconformist clergyman; and his son, Ephraim Pagit (Pagitt) (c.1575–1647), an English clergyman and heresiographer, best known for his Heresiography of 1645; William Paget, 1st Baron Paget of Beaudesert (1506-1563), an English statesman and accountant who held positions in the service of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I; Thomas...
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Padgett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Padgett Ranking

In the United States, the name Padgett is the 1,347th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 3

Ireland Migration of the Padgett family to Ireland

Some of the Padgett family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 38 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Padgett migration to the United States +

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 Padgetts to arrive on North American shores:

Padgett Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Padgett, who arrived in Maryland in 1673 4
Padgett Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Frederick Padgett, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
  • Percivall Padgett, aged 40, who landed in America, in 1895
Padgett Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Robert Padgett, who landed in Arkansas in 1900 4
  • Jacob Padgett, aged 11, who settled in America, in 1906
  • Florence Padgett, aged 23, who settled in America from Dudley Hills, in 1907
  • Joseph Padgett, aged 32, who landed in America from Dudley Hills, in 1907
  • James Padgett, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Halifax, England, in 1908
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Padgett migration to Australia +

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

Padgett Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Padgett, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Blundell" on 13th March 1844, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5
  • John Padgett, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Duke of Bedford" in 1848 6

New Zealand Padgett 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:

Padgett Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Child Padgett, (b. 1858), aged Under 1, English settler from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 7
  • Mr. William Padgett, (b. 1836), aged 22, English gardener and labourer from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 7
  • Mrs. Martha Padgett, (b. 1837), aged 21, English settler from Yorkshire travelling from London aboard the ship "Strathallan" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st January 1859 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Padgett (post 1700) +

  • William L. Padgett, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 7th District, 1931
  • William R. Padgett, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1940
  • William L. Padgett, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Hamilton, 1919
  • Theresa Padgett, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Kentucky, 2008
  • Robert J. Padgett, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 1912, 1924
  • Richard D. Padgett, American politician, Mayor of Bowie, Maryland, 1975
  • Ray Padgett, American politician, Mayor of Fort Pierce, Florida, 1955
  • R. A. Padgett, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1944 (member, Committee on Permanent Organization); Candidate for Presidential Elector for Tennessee, 1956
  • Marshall Padgett, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1960
  • M. M. Padgett, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Ohio, 1904
  • ... (Another 22 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Gary W Padgett (1964-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Vista, California, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 8
Hillcrest Coal Mine
  • Mr. Arthur Padgett (1891-1914), English Miner from Worsborough, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 9


The Padgett 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: Per il suo contrario
Motto Translation: By its reverse.


  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. 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)
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blundell
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DUKE OF BEDFORD 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848DukeofBedford.htm
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
  9. List Of Miners - Hillcrest Mine Disaster Data. (Retrieved 2014, June 24) . Retrieved from http://www.hillcrestminedisaster.com/data/index.php?title=List_Of_Miners


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