To date, I have completed a documented family tree of my ancestors, for both my paternal family name (WEBSTER) and my maternal family name (ODDY), back to 1820 and 1790 respectively. Researching is continuing. As far as the general meaning and background of the names is concerned, a brief overview is given below.
The earliest known references to the name WEBSTER are as follows:
John Le Webestere, AD 1275 in the rolls of the hundreds for Norfolk.
William Le Webester, AD 1284 in the assize rolls for Lancashire.
The derivation is from the old English 'webbestre', literally meaning 'a female weaver'.
It was, however, usually applied to men. Despite its meaning it was not a common name in areas where weaving was widespread, such as Halifax, until recent times, the reason being was that there were so many weavers about, that to give it as a surname would have been pointless as a means of separating one man from another.
Nationally (and internationally), the name has become well established and several people bearing it have found their way into the Dictionary of National Biography. e.g. John Webster, the 16th century writer and contemporary of Shakespeare.
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The earliest reference to the ODDY name is found in the account of the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
William, Duke of Normandy, landed with a large army, cavalry and infantry, in Pevensey Bay. He was accompanied by most of the leading nobles of Normandy and by a number of churchmen, including his half brother, ODO (later Earl of Kent and Bishop of Bayeaux), who led the Norman cavalry on Senlac Field. The Battle of Hastings commenced at 9.00am on the morning of 14th October 1066. The Norman army of 7,000 men, including 3,000 mounted knights in armour, launched an attack on the Saxon lines on the high ridge above them, but were beaten back by 7,000 of Harold’s crack troops, the house-carls. Seeing confusion in the Norman lines, Harold’s troops charged down the hill and William’s troops pretended to flee, a clever ruse that drew the enemy after them. They then turned about and, led by ODO, the cavalry picked off the pursuers and allowed William to employ his archers to finish off the English troops, including Harold, who had remained at the top of the ridge.
The name of ODO is shown on the Roll of Honour of the Battle of Hastings. The name ODDI is shown in the Domesday Book.
The Vikings, or Norsemen, built settlements in many coastal areas of Britain and in Northern France became the Normans. They were more than savage warriors, however, as they had a strong sense of justice, developed municipal government, produced fine works of art and many were converted to Christianity.
Other derivations of ODO are as follows:
ODDI, ODO, ODDY, ODDIE, O’DEE, O’DAY and ODD.
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