This interesting surname of English origin is derived from the Middle English given name Ode, itself coming from the Old English, Old Norse Od(d)a, being a short form of names with the first element Old English "ord", Old Norse "odd", meaning "point of a weapon", or, from the Continental Germanic personal names Odo, Otto, from a short form of compound names with the first element "od" meaning "prosperity" or "riches". It can also be a topographical name for someone who lived near a mound or heap, deriving from the Middle English "atten oade" meaning "at the heap".
The surname dates back to the 13th Century, (see below). The modern surname can be found in a variety of forms, ranging from Odd(e), Oddie, Oddey, Oddy and Hoddy or Hoddie to Oade(s) and Oat(e)s. One Symon Oade married Margaret Hunte at St. Dunstan, Stepney, on August 25th 1606, and Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Odd, was christened at St. Benet, Paul's Wharf, London on October 9th 1625. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Odd (witness), which was dated 1225, in the "Assize Rolls of Somerset", 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.
The history of the surname odd is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of odd. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname odd is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.
It is common for surnames like odd to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname odd provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The historical journey of the surname odd can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of odd. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname odd, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of odd developed.
You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname odd, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about odd and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all odds who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname odd were recorded by the chroniclers of the time.
It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname odd. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of odd are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of odd, and at the same time, of surnames in general.