History of the Chidgey family name

 Many have sought the origins of family names over the generations, some with limited success. Mine is no different to most, but I felt it time to try and put some notes and observations down on paper for prosperity and perhaps for another member of the Chidgey 'clan' to take up the gauntlet at some time in the future. Happy reading and I hope you find the following of some interest and in places amusing.

Back in the dark and distant past of 60 B.C., the Roman Empire in the shape of Gaius Julius Caesar, decided to invade this green (wet) and pleasant land. For what reason I still haven't fathomed yet but that was the Romans for you. I suppose the logical explanation was that because of its wealth in grain and timber Britain was going to be used as a sort of supply depot to the then vast Empire of Rome. It seems from history that he was fighting to overthrow the Germans and Gauls at that time and just decided to turn left (or was it right) when he reached the coast of France (then known as Gaul).

It must have been a strange sight to those Roman warriors coming across the channel towards the south coast with its white cliffs and uninviting climate. Still come they did with their armies of superior soldiers, in a flotilla of eighty galleys and transports, to defeat the then inhabitants known as Brits. Unfortunately they didn't quite manage the victory they had planned, being forced back to Gaul after suffering loss of men and ships in a strong gale in the channel. Caesar also lost all his cavalry to some very strong opposition on British soil.

Far from being put off, dear old Caesar decided to disperse his army of men to winter quarters while he constructed 600 vessels to lead a new assault the next spring. This second attempt also suffered badly. While his troops attacked the Britains, a storm struck his fleet at anchor and destroyed many of the ships driving them on to the sand and rocks. His army didn't fare too well either. His cavalry were again defeated badly and his tribune Labienus was killed. Not put off, Caesar decided on a very risky second attack and managed to put the Britons to flight. He was either stubborn, angry or maybe a bit of both.

After that much is, as they say, history. The Romans stayed here for about 470 years ruling and influencing our ways, until the Roman Empire started to crumble. At this point Britain was left to its own devices as the legions of Rome left for home. It must have been a bit of a wrench for his men having lived here for so long and presumably making 'roots' here. They left behind a considerable contribution to the way that we live our lives even now, the roads, laws and even religion were all influenced by their occupation.

After the Romans left, years of bickering and fighting went by. The Britons were at one point at war with the rest of the inhabitants of these isles, namely the Picts attacking from the North and the Irish. Peace eventually had to be reinstated by a force from Rome who returned to Britain on the request of the Britons. During these times much of the Romans good deeds suffered, including the Christian faith as pagan worship again took hold of the countryside.

Peace reigned once more and the legions of Rome again returned home. The Romans advised the Brits to build a wall to keep out these invaders, which they did out of turf and stone. It was not of much use as a fortification but did stretch from coast to coast and served as a landmark.

Time past and in around 446 AD. Rome sent missionaries to the Irish in an attempt to convert them to the Christian faith. This was quite successful and created a new type of outpost for Rome, namely by the spread of the church. A few more years passed by until the Angles, Jute's and Saxons, meeting little resistance, invaded poor old Britannia in 449 AD. These newcomers decided to settle in Britain and create a new land in their own mould, each taking a different part of the land for their own. From the Jute's are descended the people in Kent and the Isle of Wight and those in the province of the West Saxons, those opposite the Isle of Wight, are also called Jute's. From the Saxons, that is the land known as the land of the old Saxons came the East, South and West Saxons (Essex, Wessex and Middlesex). Next came the east and middle Angles (East Anglia), also the Mercian's and those in Northumbria (those living north of the Humber).

This set up lasted for a few years until an alliance between the Angles and the Picts (those in what is now seen as Scotland and Orkney) was made. Together they threatened and attacked those to the south demanding more of the available provisions.

They also attacked the then established church, killing priests and bishops alike. The Britons again pleaded with Rome to help and assisted by Ambrosius managed a great victory over the Pict/Angle alliance.

Although during this time Britain remained free from foreign invasion, civil unrest continued until 590 AD. In 596 AD. Pope Gregory, seeing that things had at last settled down a bit, sent Augustine to Britain to preach to the people and reinstate the Christian faith and then in 597 AD. King Ethelbert granted his permission for Augustine to preach in Thanet (Kent) to the people of his lands. So successful was Augustine at spreading the faith he even managed to convert the King himself.

Peace now reigned for many years with successive Kings ruling and governing the people. Many parishes were established as Christianity spread throughout Britain. We now move on until 653 AD. when King Oswy reigned over the East Saxons. After some time in pagan worship and some effective persuasion the King accepted the faith once more from a holy man appointed by Augustine, call CEDD (pronounced Ched).

CEDD (Ched) was a Britain who carried out the work of God with untold zeal and vigour. He created many parishes and built churches all around the area to such effect that CEDD moved in to other parts of the country by invitation, converting and preaching as he went.

It is said that CEDD went to the West and set up parishes there as well. The spread of the Church of Rome had been established to such a degree that more Bishops and priests had to be ordained. Indeed CEDD's brother CHAD was made a Bishop and his other two brothers, CAELIN and CYNIBIL, also became priests the latter appointed to become the personal priest to the then King.

Well now, this is where the story really starts. It is claimed that CEDD set up a parish in what is now known as Somerset. He built a kind of monastery and village on a mound (these mounds or islands rising from the marshes and swamps were called a 'Ey' by the Saxons) in the marshlands just south of what is now Bridgwater and it became known as Cedd's Ey or Chedzoy. You can now see where the local dialect plays a great part in the phonetic spelling variations. There is even more evidence of Cedd's work in this part of the country. Just take a look at a local map you will see Cheddar and Cheddar Gorge, demonstrating what must have been his great influence on the people at that time.

A quick glance at the local telephone book will also show some of the variations that have come about in the name including Chedzey, Chidzoy, Chidzey, Chedgey and Chedsey.

The people who lived and worked in these settlements appear to be all well looked after and some educated to a basic level by the monks from the church or monastery. Everything was good and dandy until it is thought that the marshland was drained by the construction of the 'flats' or waterway. A date for this to have happened is vague but probably around the middle-ages. Up to that point the lands around must have looked or seemed uninviting to the commoners who were happy to stay where they were.

It is thought that the people of Cedd's Ey then started to move and spread around the immediate area, much along the coastline, looking for better and richer land and work. Watchet, Williton and the surrounding villages became the new dwellings of the people from Chedzoy who took their 'surname' from the settlement of their birth.

The place Watchet has been in existence for many, many centuries. Relics from the Stone Age have been found there dating back to 12,000 BC. At one point it is likely that Daws Castle was the site of a royal mint, casting coins through the reigns of nine Kings, around two centuries ending with King Stephen around .

The creation of the names Chedzoy, Cheddzy, Chedzy, Chedzay, Chedsy, Chedsey, Chadsy, Chadgesey, Chedgesey, Chidgey, etc, etc, then came about purely through the completion of parish records, census returns, birth death and marriage certificates as did many derivatives of names throughout this land, by phonetic spelling. The most common used in Watchet these days is Chidgey.

As to the Chidgey family from Watchet, well history logically explains how and why we moved around the country from the West. The valley around Watchet has always been a prosperous community, mainly of iron ore but other minerals have been mined as well. In fact for most of the time Watchet was self sufficient in food, fish, meat, grain and ale which was produced in large quantities.

Excess produce was then moved, originally by horse and cart but in 1853 by the creation of the West Somerset Mineral Railway by railroad, to Watchet harbour for transportation to Wales and other ports along the coast.

As well as industrial trade the port was seen as a good source of income from tourism and fishing. As early as the 18^th century 128 ship were operating from the port, schooners, ketches, trawlers among them.

Work was plentiful until early in the 19^th century when the harbour fell into disrepair and was damaged by continued bad weather. The harbour wall fell down and all industry faltered, to the point that parliament was asked for funding to make repairs.

Many families left the area in search of work and in particular, parts of the Chidgey family moved across the bay to Wales. More still went to Manchester, London and Bristol and then some emigrated to the USA and Australia.

There is evidence of some of the family moving to what is now east London in the early 18^th century. These were mainly builders and stone masons and could be why there is even today a fair amount of the Chidgey clan in South and East London (what was then West Surrey and North West Kent). These Chidgeys were also well educated. There is evidence of miss-spelt surnames on parish records being corrected, presumably after scrutiny by the person concerned.

There is also evidence of a small contingency emigrating to the USA even earlier. A John CHEDSEY, who was born in 1621, sailed for New England in 1638 arriving in New Haven in 1639 as recorded in the New Haven Register, Vital Records of Connecticut and old church records.

Some remained in Somerset to carry on the traditional trades of the family. Stonemasons, blacksmiths and foundry workers were amongst some of the family's crafts and evidence of these can still be seen today. They were wheelwrights or chandlers as well, working on the then vast fleet of ships using the harbour.

There was then a second exodus from West Somerset in the last quarter of the century when the iron ore trade began to falter for the last time.

Tourism was seen as limited and the fishing fleet began to move to larger ports. Again London and the other cities of Britain were popular places in search of employment and from there to the new colonies. Relatives already in these areas, particularly London, could have influenced this second move.

There are still Chidgeys in Watchet and the small villages around West Somerset to this day but it is not the place it was nearly two centuries ago. In some ways it seems far more pleasant and inviting. Watchet is back to being a quiet seaside town with a small harbour. It has an interesting little museum with much evidence of the family name and the town's early history. So if you're ever in the area, pop in and have a look around, it's next to the harbour.

Well that’s about it. The research goes on and will probably never end but we strive to connect the family back together, if just in name and to trace our roots to CEDD. One day it may happen, you never know!

I hope you've enjoyed this little script, I may get it into print some day. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact me.

Brian Chidgey