Show ContentsPartdidge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Partdidge. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer worked as a hunter or someone who caught partridges. Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries. Occupational names have remained fairly common in the modern period. This is attested to by the continuing appearance of occupational suffixes at the end of many English surnames. Some of these suffixes include: herd, monger, maker, hewer, smith, and wright.

Early Origins of the Partdidge family

The surname Partdidge was first found in Kent. However, the parish of Miserden, Yorkshire tells an important story of the family's early lineage. "The manor of Wishanger, here, is of very ancient date, and was the seat of the Partriges, of whom William Partrige, of Cirencester and Wishanger, was summoned by the heralds at their first visitation of the county in the reign of Henry VIII.; from him the manor descended lineally for ten generations, and it was the principal seat of the family until the commencement of the present century, when it was sold. The manor-house, though partly taken down and otherwise injured, is still standing, as a farmhouse; the porch bears the arms of Partrige impaling those of Ernley of Wiltshire, on a large stone over the entrance, Robert Partrige having married into the Ernley family in the 16th century." 1

Early History of the Partdidge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Partdidge research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1451, 1544, 1546, 1547, 1551, 1552, 1566, 1603, 1635, 1644, 1675, 1680, 1686, 1703, 1710, 1715 and 1748 are included under the topic Early Partdidge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Partdidge Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Partdidge include Partridge, Pettridge, Patridge, Patrige, Partrich and others.

Early Notables of the Partdidge family

Distinguished members of the family include Peter Partridge (d. 1451), Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, was educated at Oxford University; and Sir Miles Partridge (d. 1552), English courtier, relative of William Partridge of Wishanger in Miserden, Gloucestershire. Sheriff of Gloucestershire (1546-1547.) He held the manor of Almondsbury in 1544. He was convicted of felony, and hanged on Tower Hill on Friday 26 Feb. 1551. John Partridge (fl. 1566), was an English translator and...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Partdidge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Partdidge family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Partdidge or a variant listed above: John Partridge, who arrived in Virginia in 1615; Richard Partridge, who arrived in Virginia in 1620; Joe Partridge, who settled in Virginia in 1635; Mary Partridge, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1636.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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