Although the colonial American origins of our surname are predominantly from the south,(specifically southeastern Virginia), the family began migrating to several parts of the country beginning in the mid-late 1700’s.  The areas specifically described herein are not aimed to be a complete cataloging but merely call attention to some known Caudle population clusters.

By tale and tradition, the progenitor of the family in the colonies was ‘Stephen Cawdle’.  We first document Stephen in the colony through a 1732 land patent {http://www.caudillreunion.org/the-records-vault/new-colonial-records-page/} which places him in Stony Creek, Virginia, with 195 acres situated just north of the Nottoway River.  I chose to use the CAWDLE spelling of the surname here because that is how it appears in the original patent.  Interestingly and perhaps significantly, that spelling of the surname was not at all uncommon in England in this era.

Purportedly,Stephen was ‘from Scotland’ and yet I find absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support this supposition and further believe the family came to the colony from England.  This YDNA Project may eventually lend credence to that hypothesis as we continue to seek participants from the United Kingdom.  Frankly ... I suspect this whole Scotland thing is a purely romantic desire by the descendants to claim a Scotch heritage, (I further reserve the right to be proven wrong).  

The belief and proposition that the entirety of the surname population in the United States relates back to one man --- e.g. Stephen Cawdle, is highly improbable.  An objective of this project is to demonstrate and prove familial lines and common ancestors amongst the branches based upon the genetics.

As early as 1654, we see the surname Cordell in the Virginia colony when one James Cordell was transported to the colony under the headright system by Arthur Nash of New Kent County, Virginia.

By October 20, 1691, James Cawdle and Benjamin Clements are selling 499 acres of land in King and Queen County, Virginia.

Rev. John Cordell, b. abt. 1720 Wiltshire, England, emigrated to the Virginia colony in 1743, thereabouts.  John Cordell and his son alike both served as chaplains in the Revolutionary War.  By 1785, John was sworn deputy surveyor in Frederick County, Virginia.

This brief narrative seeks to demonstrate that there are likely several possible ‘beginnings’ of the surname in the colonies and the various branches.

Participationin this project is open to all Caudill's including those with variantspellings. If you are interested in joining our group, please contact me (LennyCaudill, lcaudill@triad.rr.com) the Group Administrator for additionalinformation.