Recorded in a wide range of spellings as shown below, this is an English surname which also has a number of possible origins. It may be derived from the pre 10th century given name of Ode, itself coming from the Old Norse name Odda, and originating from the word "odd", meaning the point of a weapon. An alternative suggestion is from the pre 7th century Anglo-Saxon and hence Germanic personal names of Odo or Otto, deriving from the word "od", meaning prosperity or riches. Thirdly it could be a topographical name for someone who lived near a mound or hillock, the derivation being from the Olde English word "oade". The surname dates back to at least the 13th century, whilst the modern surname can be found in a variety of forms, ranging from Odd, Odde, Oddie, Oddey, and Oddy, to Hoddy, Hoddie, and even Oade, Oades and Oates. Early examples of the surname recordings taken from surviving church registers include: Symon Oade who married Margaret Hunte at St. Dunstans in the East, Stepney, on August 25th 1606, and Elizabeth, the daughter of Robert Odd, who was christened at St. Benet, Paul's Wharf, in the city of London, on October 9th 1625. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Oddy. This was dated 1225, in the Assize Rolls of the county of Somerset, during the reign of King Henry 111rd of England, 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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