Caudill Family Surname

Caudill Coat of Arms



Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized in English language. Caudill has appeared as Caldwell, Coldwell, Caldwill, Cauldwell, Cauldwill, Cawldwell, Guildwell, Calewell, Caldewell, and many more.

First found in Renfrewshire in Scotland where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots: Archibald Caldwell, a Scottish prisoner sent to America in 1685; John Caldwell, a bonded passenger, who came to America in 1693; Charles Caldwell, who arrived in New England in 1718.

Origin: A Scottish researcher named Bill Caddell claims the surname is an ancient Highlander name from a Norman knight Hugo de Cadella. The name was 'gaelicized' into the name Calder meaning 'water between the woods'. The lowland pronunciation was 'Cawdor' and an ancestral castle was given this title. (The castle still stands). Mr. Caddell claims that all the names originate from this bloodline. Surnames: Caddell, Calder, Caudill, Caudle. Origin of Caudill, Meaning of Caudill

Origin: Harry Caudill, of the University of Kentucky, noted in his book, Night Comes to the Cumberland, that the name was actually a title that belonged to a mercenary that ship wrecked onto the Scottish north coast as they were fleeing the English navy and attempting to return to Spain or native Portugual. That we are the original Black Scots because of our darker complexion and hair. This has always been my understanding of the genesis of my name.