Show ContentsMurden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Murden family

The surname Murden was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. "Turvey in Bedfordshire was the principal seat of this noble Norman family, descended from Osbert le Mordaunt, who came over from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and received a grant of the lordship of Radwell in that county." 1 Another reference is more specific: "their patriarch was Sir Osbert le Mordaunt, who possessed Radwell, co. Bedfordshire, by gift of his brother, who had received it from the Conqueror, for services rendered by himself and his father." 2 The parish of Mordon (Morden) in Durham was home to another branch of the family. "This place gave name to a resident family, of whom mention occurs in the 14th century. The name was perhaps originally Moredun, or "the moorish hill," from the elevation of the place above a marsh. " 3

Early History of the Murden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Murden research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1621, 1623, 1626, 1642, 1648, 1649, 1650, 1663, 1675, 1681, 1692, 1695, 1697, 1698, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1705, 1707, 1708, 1710, 1715, 1720 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Murden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Murden Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mordaunt, Mordan, Morden, Mordon, Mordant and others.

Early Notables of the Murden family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Mordaunt (died c.1505), an English politician of the Tudor period, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Speaker of the House of Commons; Henry Mordaunt, 4th Baron Mordaunt; John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough (died 1642), an English peer; John Mordaunt, 1st Viscount Mordaunt (1626-1675), who was an English Royalist, the second son of John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough (died 1642.) In June 1648, he joined his brother, Henry Mordaunt (1621-1697) in leading a Royalist uprising, and fled with him to the Continent...
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Murden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Murden migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Murden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Sarah Murden, English convict who was convicted in Northamptonshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 14th July 1832, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
  • John Murden, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Aden" in 1849 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Murden (post 1700) +

  • Orlando Murden, American sound track composer, known for Meet the Parents (2000), Begin Again (2013) and Shrek Forever After (2010)
  • Dave Murden, American production manager and actor, known for The P.A. (2006), Dave Matthews Band: Stand Up Take 1 (2005) and Amplified Guide to New Orleans (2004)
  • Madeleine Murden, American actress, known for Please Stand By (2016) and Paper Towns (2015)
  • Alastair James Murden, English actor, known for Persephone: Pictures at the End of the World (2016), The Captain (2013) and Little Reaper (2013)
  • Karen Murden (b. 1970), English actress, known for Your Mother Wouldn't Like It (1985), Jupiter Moon (1990) and Crossroads (1964)
  • Richard William Murden (1906-1997), Australian politician, Member for Ashfield, NSW 1953-19590
  • Victoria Murden McClure (b. 1963), American explorer and adventurer, the first woman and the first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean (1999)

Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Reuben Joseph Murden (d. 1914), British Trimmer from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 6


The Murden Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nec placido contenta quiete est
Motto Translation: Nor is content with quiet repose.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fanny
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Aden from London via Plymouth Adealide Arriving September 12th 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849AdenRegister.htm
  6. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html


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