Click "more" at the end of this post and hover over the blue URL displayed on new page to view a detailed outline of the RODWELL PEDIGREE established for the descendants of THOMAS RODWELL baptized 25 Dec 1778 St Edmunds Parish Salisbury Wiltshire England. His parents were SAMUEL RODWELL & MARY (nee WARD). This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin. RODWELL is recorded as being the locational name 'of Radwell' - a hamlet parish of Felmersham in County Bedfordshire and from RODWELL, a parish in the diocese of Rochester. The name was originally derived from the Old English word 'READANWELLA' meaning the red well or stream. The name is also spelt RADWELL.
Local surnames may have derived from a manor held, from working in a religious dwelling, or from literally living by a wood or marsh or by a stream. Following the Crusades in Europe, a need was felt for a family name. This was recognized by persons of noble blood, who realised the prestige and practical advantage it would add to their status. Early records of the name mention RADEUUELLE (without surname) as listed as a tenant in the Domesday Book of 1086.