Recorded in several spellings including Kadwallider, Cadwallider, Cadalleder, Cadwalader and others is of ancient pre 7th century Welsh origins. It derives from the personal name Cadgwaladr, meaning 'Battle leader' a translation which no doubt aided its great popularity. The name was borne by an early prince and saint in Gwynedd, whilst Cadwaladr ap Gruffudd, who flourished circa 1173, was the Prince of Cardigan. David ap Cadwallader appears on record in the "Writs of Parliament for London", under the date 1322. The surname is particularly well recorded in London church registers from the mid 16th Century, and examples include that on December 6th 1590, of Mary Cadwallyder, who was christened at St. Bride's, Fleet Street, whilst on February 10th 1610, Heugh Cadwalleder and Hester Dawson were married at St. Dunstan's, Stepney. Other recordings are those of Rachell Cadwallader, christened at St. Mary Whitechapel, on June 16th 1617, and on October 6th 1654, Susanna Cadwaller, christened at St. Botolph Without Aldgate. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

© Copyright: Name Origin Research 1980 - 2024