Vodden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Vodden is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a god of Anglo Saxon origin. The surname Vodden originally derived from the Old English word Odin, Fodin, or Voden. which referred to an ancient pagan god of the Saxons. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demigods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat.

Early Origins of the Vodden family

The surname Vodden was first found in Sussex where two early entries of the family were found: Thomas Foydn in 1296 and John Fodyn in 1327. Both were recorded in the Subsidy Rolls. 1

While these previous entries are the oldest, we must look to Cheshire as the stronghold for the family. Here they established Foden, now Foden Bank "in the township of Sutton, parish of Prestbury, Cheshire. This surname is well represented in Cheshire and Lancashire." 2

Early History of the Vodden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vodden research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1568, 1592 and 1613 are included under the topic Early Vodden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vodden Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Vodden were recorded, including Foden, Fodon, Vodden, Voden and others.

Early Notables of the Vodden family

More information is included under the topic Early Vodden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vodden migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Vodden family emigrate to North America:

Vodden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mary Vodden, aged 49, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896

Vodden Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Nance Vodden, aged 28, who settled in America, in 1913
Harriett Jane Vodden, aged 33, who settled in America from Cardiff, Wales, in 1916
Vernon Vodden, aged 2, who landed in America from Cardiff, Wales, in 1916
Rhoda Vodden, aged 66, who landed in America from Devonport, England, in 1920
Stanley Vodden, aged 8, who immigrated to America from Plymouth, England, in 1921
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Vodden migration to Australia +

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

Vodden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Laurence Vodden, (b. 1831), aged 26, Cornish farm labourer, from Devonshire, England, UK departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Fitzjames" arriving in Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 1st April 1857 3
Mrs. Mary Vodden, (b. 1830), aged 27, Cornish settler, from Devonshire, England, UK departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Fitzjames" arriving in Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 1st April 1857 3
Mr. Francis Henry Vodden, (b. 1854), aged 3, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Fitzjames" arriving in Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 1st April 1857 3
Miss Mary Jane Vodden, (b. 1856), aged 1, Cornish settler departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Fitzjames" arriving in Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 1st April 1857 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Vodden (post 1700) +

Lucy Vodden, born Lucy O'Donnell, English classmate of Julian Lennon, inspiration for his father's song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" often mistakenly assumed to be an acronym for LSD
Henry Townsend Vodden (1887-1960), English episcopal, the fifth Bishop of Hull (1934 to 1957)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_nsw_1850_59.pdf