This very interesting surname is first recorded in the church registers in the reign of the first Elizabeth (see below). It is however much older in origin, and probably derives from the Olde English pre- 7th century 'Duda' or 'Doda', a baptismal name of endearment. The name in its original meaning was something small and rounded, which was the perfect description for a baby. As such it was very popular upto the time of the Norman invasion of 1066, and thereafter although superceeded by such names as William, John, Richard, etc, it developed many surname forms. These include Dodd, Dodding, and Dudd, Dud(d)in, and Dud(d)ing as examples. Early recordings commence from 1086 when Brictricus filius Doddi (Brictricus son of Dodd) appears in the Domesday Book for Worcester, and Wlaterus Dudde in the same place in 1150. The diminutive forms with the suffix endings 'in' and 'ing' implying 'son of' or 'little' commence as shown below, other examples being Andrew Doddyng of Sussex in 1296, and Thomas Doiun of Essex in 1327. The later 'modern' recordings include Bridget Duddin, christened at St Mary Abotts, Kensington on November 30th 1597, and Isabell Duddan, daughter of John Duddan, christened at St Dunstans, Stepney, on April 8th 1677, whilst John Duddin and his wife Caroline were witnesses at St Marks Church, Kennington, London on August 3rd 1851. The coat of arms has the blazon of a blue field charged with two estoiles and in base a crescent - all gold. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Doding, which was dated 1251, the Rolls of Ely Abbey, Cambridge, during the reign of King Henry 111, known as 'The Frenchman' 1216 - 1272. 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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