CODLING
Codling is an English surname whose earliest origins lie in the British Isles. It is traditionally recorded in England, with its linguistic roots in the Latinised English language and its bearers historically identified as Christian.
The most widely accepted etymology, drawn from Middle English, is that the word codling meant a young or immature apple. As such the name is thought to have been a nickname for a person who cultivated, harvested, purchased or sold apples, or who had a notable association with apple orchards. The term is now archaic but survives in the name of the flower codling, a small apple tree often grown in gardens.
In terms of geographical distribution the surname is comparatively rare and is predominantly found in the eastern counties of England. Historically, it has been identified in archival material from the region, although it has never been a common name in comparison to other English surnames.
Another source of information links the name Codling to earlier medieval forms such as Girdelyon, Girdling and Girling, which were recorded in various local court and subsidy rolls in the 13–14th centuries. These sources trace a lineage of spellings that ultimately moved toward the modern spelling Codling, most notably in Yorkshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. In the modern idiom, several spelling variations are present; for example, Quodling and Quadling are associated with Norfolk and Suffolk, while Girling and Gurling are more common in Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk.
Thus, the surname Codling possesses a dual heritage: a botanical origin linked to apple cultivation and a historical thread that interweaves with a range of medieval spellings found throughout eastern England. It remains a distinctive yet uncommon name within British genealogy records.
Typical given names associated with the Codling surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Emma
- Joan
- Julie
- Karen
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Ruth
- Sally
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Codling in...
Braille
⠉⠕⠙⠇⠊⠝⠛
Morse
-.-.----...-....-.--.
Semaphore
There are approximately 1,746 people named Codling in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,708th most common surname in Britain. Around 27 in a million people in Britain are named Codling.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Codling
- Neil Codling - Musician
- Alex Codling - Rugby union football player and coach
- Allan Codling - Football player (1911 to 1)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.