Origin of the Coody Family

COODY FAMILY GENEALOGY

Origin of the Coody Family

The real origin of the Coody family lies with times of illiteracy, when many did not know how to spell their name for census takers, or other public purpose. In cases where one did not know how to spell their name the other person would make a 'best guess' from the names sound, and from that time forward that would be the way is was carried, unless it was corrected. A primary example of this is with Thomas Coode (b. 1702), found in Roane County, TN listed as Coode, then again in 1779 as Coody in the Tax Rolls.
After considerable research and discussions, a number of researchers now believe that this Thomas Coode was the father of several of the early Coody's... including Joseph Coody b. 1750, who married Elis Tassel, a Cherokee maiden and was the father of Sarah Coody who married Richard Fields and Arthur Archibald Coody b. 1740, who married Elizabeth (EU-CHI-OOTE) Tassell. It is also suggested that these two wives might have been sisters. It is not known which brother first came to Indian Territory, but there definitely seems to be a connection. Ironically we had the data for years, by collecting every tit-bit to be found, and it was only a matter of close examination of all of the various pieces and the addition of some new, that we were able to surmise a conclusion. If any researchers can disprove the early genealogy we present herein, we would welcome any documentation.

It was always strongly felt by a number of researchers that the COODY family originated from the COOTE/COODE family of Maryland in the early 1700's. However, positive documentation has not yet been uncovered. In light of the fact that some early Coody children were sent back to Maryland for their education suggested a link back to that area. The genealogy for the John Coode family (b.1648 d. 1709) has been documented both for his ancestors and descendants. [See Bio section for some interesting reading.] None the less, whatever the case, the COODY family is of English / Scottish / Irish origin, and going back several generations CELTICS. (In 1659 there were 6 Coody families in Killenny County, Ireland, all considered to be English.)

There has been a significant amount of research into the Coote / Coode / Coody family over the years. Currently there is a DNA project underway to prove the genetic connection.

Several books give different 'meaning' to the family name COODY. One book provides that the name was derived from the Coot bird, and means 'the man with little or no hair'. (This seems to be true for a number of our older family members in some lines.)

While a number of people have tried to link the Coody family to the Cody family, this is faulty. Some of the Coody family members have dropped one of the 'o', and became Cody, but a recent ancestry DNA project clearly shows that the Cody family is of a entirely different linage. Most of the Cody's arrived in the mid 1800 during the Irish Potato famine. In addition, there is positively no proof that the Coody's are related to Buffalo Bill Cody. That has been a long spread myth, in some cases, just wish-fullness.

There is one undeniable fact at this time: Arthur Archibald Coody, Sr. did not immigrate from Scotland as has been reported by a number of sources. There is no documented evidence of this that I, or any collaborators, have found. If it does exist, please present it!

Recently I saw where there was an attempt to link the Cude family to Coody. We have not pursued this, but it is possible and somewhat reasonable.