Soudelay is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Soudelay family lived in Gloucestershire, at Sudely.
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Early Origins of the Soudelay family
The surname Soudelay was first found in Gloucestershire where they held a family seat at Sudely Castle. Conjecturally they are descended from the holder of these estates, Harold FitzRalph, said to be the illegitimate son of King Harold, 1 but counter claims say that he was the son of the Earl of Hereford. He was granted these lands by Duke William of Normandy after the Conquest of England in 1066 A.D. The Domesday Book survey of 1086 A.D., shows Harold as holding 6 mills. The Castle was erected soon after as a defense against the Welsh intrusions to the west.
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Early History of the Soudelay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Soudelay research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1140 is included under the topic Early Soudelay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Soudelay 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 Soudelay include Sudeley, Sudely, Sudly, Sodely, Soudley, Soudly, Soudely and many more.
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Early Notables of the Soudelay family
More information is included under the topic Early Soudelay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Soudelay 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 Soudelays to arrive on North American shores: John Sudley who settled in Carolina in 1717.
England
