Oldale Surname Origin

The English family name Oldale is classified as being of habitation origin. The phrase "habitation names" is used to describe those family names, which find their origins in the location of the residence of the initial bearer. In some instances, such names are derived from the name of the town or region where the original bearer was born or resided. Others refer to the geographic location of the original bearer's home while still others may refer us to a sign displayed over the door of his residence. With regard to the family name Oldale, it indicates "one who came from Old Hall Farm in Rock, Worcestershire or from Old Hall, a common place name in Co. Essex". The homonym Oldhall is derived from the Old English "eald heall", literally meaning "old hall" and thus this name is also local in origin, denoting "one who dwelled near the old hall". Variants of the surname Oldale include Oldall and Oldehall.

One of the earliest references to this name or to a variant is a record of one Robert del Oldehale, who is mentioned in documents relating to Worcestershire in 1275. john ate Oldehalle is listed in the Assize Rolls for Co. Essex in 1356 and Robert Oldale and Elizabeth Hous were married in Narborough, Co. Norfolk, in 1573. The wedding of Thomas Oldale and Susan Bayley is registered in Saint James, Dukes Place, London, in 1680 and Hannah Oldale, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Oldale, was baptized in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Sheffield, Yorkshire, in 1794. Although there exist some twelfth century English surnames, which had become fixed and hereditary by the end of the twelfth century the English scholar P.H. Reaney tells us that in that same century "we have an unsettled and varied type of nomenclature". Indeed, in London even in the thirteenth and fourteenth century, he states, a surname could be replaced for that of another.

Oldale Blazon of Arms

Gules, a lion rampant ermine. Translation: The lion denotes Courage, Strength and Generosity. Crest: A lion issuing ermine. Origin: England

The coat of arms illustrated here was drawn by a heraldic artist based upon information about the Oldale surname and its association with heraldry. In the language of the ancient heralds, the arms are described as follows:

"Quartered: 1st, or: the letter "O" sa.: 2nd and 3rd, as.: a ship in full sail sa.: 4th, or.: a border sa. Charged with a small inner shield vert."

The Oldale arms is translated:

Divided into quarters: 1st quarter, gold background: a black initial "O", 2nd and 3rd quarters, blue background: a ship, all sails unfurled: 4th quarter, gold background: a wide black border. A small green inner shield placed over all.

A ship is symbolic of hope and ocean expeditions. Seven vivid colors were chosen for use on shields of armor-clad knights to easily identify them at a distance. The heraldic colors gold, silver, purple, blue, green, black, and red were preserved on colorless drawings by dot and line symbols. The Oldale coat of arms incorporated green. The color green represents hope, vitality, plenty.

Information available indicates that in 1974 there were less than 50 households in Canada with the old and distinguished Oldale name. In comparison, some family names represent over 40,000 households in Canada.