Sudburey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Sudburey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in one of the settlements called Sudbury in the counties of Derbyshire, Middlesex, and Suffolk. The surname Sudburey belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Sudburey family

The surname Sudburey was first found in Suffolk at Sudbury, a borough and market-town, and the head of a union, locally in the hundred of Babergh. "This place, originally called South Burgh, is of great antiquity, and at the period of the Norman survey was of considerable importance, having a market and a mint. A colony of the Flemings who were introduced into this country by Edward III. for the purpose of establishing the manufacture of woollen-cloth, settled here, and that branch of trade continued to flourish for some time. " 1

The Domesday Book survey in 1086 A.D. list Sudbury as being held by William the Chamberlain and Otto the Goldsmith from the King. The village consisted of a mill, a market, 2 horses, 24 pigs, and 120 sheep. It is the site of the ancient church of St. Gregory's founded by St. Felix in the 7th century. 2

One of the first records of the names was Hugh de Suthberia who was listed in the Pipe Rolls in 1159. 3 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Robert de Sudbyr in Norfolk; and Ralph de Sudebyre in Essex. 4

Simon of Sudbury (died 1381), was "Archbishop of Canterbury, son of Nigel Theobald and his wife Sarah, people of respectable position, born at Sudbury in Suffolk in the parish of St. Gregory. " 5

William Sudbury (fl. 1382), was an early English theologian, a Benedictine monk of Westminster, and graduated as doctor of divinity at Oxford, where he was an opponent in theology in 1382. 5

Early History of the Sudburey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sudburey research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1375, 1379, 1381 and 1431 are included under the topic Early Sudburey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sudburey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Sudburey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Sudburey include: Sudbury, Sudbery, SudBerry, Sudberey and others.

Early Notables of the Sudburey family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sudburey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sudburey family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Sudburey or a variant listed above: Robert Sudbery who settled in Virginia in 1638.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print