This name is locational and derives from the Olde English pre 7th century, 'Dodda's Legh' - with 'Dodda' being a personal name and 'Legh' meaning a fenced enclosure in a wood or a small farm. The names of the same origin and meaning include Dudley, Dodley and Dudeley, the first recording being that of the Lord of the Manor of Dudley in Worcestershire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Perceval de Duddelegh. which was dated 1273, The Worcester Pipe Rolls. during the reign of King Edward 1 The Hammer of the Scots 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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