EnglandThe Yandell surname comes from the place name Yewdale in Lancashire, which is derived from the Old English word "yew," a type of tree and the Old Norse "dalr," meaning "valley." [1] Literally, the place name means "the dale where yew-trees grow"[2]
The surname Yandell was first found in North West Lancashire at Yewdale. While three distinct sources agree on this origin, one differs. In this case, the author notes that the name could have been Norman in origin implying some of the family at one time emigrated to England. He notes that the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Ansgot de Ouvedale (Uvedale) in Normandy 1180-1195. The same source also notes Walder de Hudal in 1198. [3]
Scant records are found today of Yewdale other than one source notes that it is a "valley at the north end of Coniston Lake." [4]
Apparently at one time "a family of Udall, or Wedalle, owned the manor of Chingford Comitis, Essex, in the reign of Elizabeth. " [5]
Another source notes that Alice de Youdall was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 and later, John Yowdall was listed in Cumbria in 1546. [6]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yandell research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1524, 1437, 1464, 1560, 1592, 1542, 1505, 1556 and 1449 are included under the topic Early Yandell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Yandell were recorded, including Udall, Udale, Udall, Udle, Yewdale, Yewdall, Youdale and many more.
Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir William Uvedale (1455-1524), British soldier and courtier, of Wickham, Hampshire, the son and heir of Sir Thomas Uvedale of Wickham and of Titsey, Surrey, High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in 1437 and 1464.
"The family name appears from the oldest deeds to have been D'Ovedale or D'Ouvedale. Other variations of the name are Uvedall, Uvedail, Vuedall, Udall, Woodall, and Woodhall. A writer in a sixteenth-century manuscript, desirous of identifying the Uvedale family with that of Wodehall, Cumberland, says, 'Thei call the name Woddall, and some call it Udall, and some Wodhall...
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Yandell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In the United States, the name Yandell is the 8,977th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. [7]
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Yandell family emigrate to North America: William Udle settled in Carbonear, Newfoundland, in 1798; Patrick Udall settled in Maryland in 1685; John Udall settled in New England in 1751; James Udell settled in Philadelphia in 1862.
