Congdon History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsWhen the Anglo-Normans began to settle in Ireland, they brought the tradition of local surnames to an island which already had a Gaelic naming system of hereditary surnames established. Local surnames, such as Congdon, were formed from the names of a place or a geographical landmark where a person lived, held land, or was born. The earliest Anglo-Norman surnames of this type came from Normandy, but as the Normans moved, they created names that referred to where they actually resided. Originally, these place names were prefixed by "de," which means "from" in French. It is thought that this family derived its name from when an ancestor lived in the settlement of Caunton in the English county of Nottinghamshire. The Gaelic form of the surname Congdon is Condún. Early Origins of the Congdon familyThe surname Congdon was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where this ancient Norman family were granted lands by Strongbow for their assistance in the invasion of Ireland in 1172. Early History of the Congdon familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Congdon research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1605 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Congdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Congdon Spelling VariationsNames were simply spelled as they sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. Therefore, during the lifetime of a single person, his name was often spelt in many different ways, explaining the many spelling variations encountered while researching the name Congdon. Some of these variations included: Condon, Condone, Caunteton, Condun, Condin, Conden, Condan, Condine, Condune, Caundon and many more. Early Notables of the Congdon familyAnother 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Congdon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Congdon RankingIn the United States, the name Congdon is the 8,073rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
The Irish emigration during the late 18th and 19th century contributed to the melting pot of nationalities in North America, and the building of a whole new era of industry and commerce in what was seen as a rich, new land. Ireland'sGreat Potato Famine resulted in the worst economic and social conditions in the island's history. And in response to the hunger, disease, and poverty, during this decade the total number of emigrants to leave for North America rivaled all the previous years combined. Those from this decade that arrived on North American shores were not warmly welcomed by the established population, but they were vital to the rapid development of the industry, agriculture, and infrastructure of the infant nations of the United States and what would become Canada. Research into early immigration and passenger lists has shown many people bearing the name Congdon: Congdon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Congdon Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Congdon Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Congdon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
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