Show ContentsSudley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Sudley is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Sudley family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Sudley family lived in Gloucestershire, at Sudely.

Early Origins of the Sudley family

The surname Sudley 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.

Early History of the Sudley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sudley research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1140 is included under the topic Early Sudley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sudley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Sudley have been found, including Sudeley, Sudely, Sudly, Sodely, Soudley, Soudly, Soudely and many more.

Early Notables of the Sudley family

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


United States Sudley migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Sudley were among those contributors:

Sudley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Sudley who settled in Carolina in 1717


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook