Show ContentsEndean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Endean is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Endean family lived in the place named Hendon, in Middlesex. The place-name is derived from an Old English expression that means at the high hill or in the valley with the deer. The place named Hendon is in the London Metropolitan area and is situated some seven miles north-west of Charing Cross. The Hendron variant is now chiefly found in County Armagh, Ireland, but it earliest origins lie in Middlesex.

Early Origins of the Endean family

The surname Endean was first found in Middlesex. Alternatively, the family could have originated in Endon, a township, in the parish and union of Leek, N. division of the hundred of Totmonslow in Staffordshire. 1

Early History of the Endean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Endean research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1639 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Endean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Endean Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Hendon, Henden, Hendwn and others.

Early Notables of the Endean family

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

Ireland Migration of the Endean family to Ireland

Some of the Endean family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Endean migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Endean or a variant listed above:

Endean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Harry Endean, who landed in New York in 1870 2
  • Annie Endean, aged 19, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Indiana" from Liverpool, England 3
Endean Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Miss Bessie Endean, (b. 1881), aged 23, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 26th November 1904 en route to Los Angeles, California, USA 4
  • Charles H. Endean, aged 21, originally from St. Columbia, England, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Royal George" from Southampton, England 3
  • Albert Endean, aged 41, originally from Walford, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Celtic" from Liverpool, England 3

Australia Endean migration to Australia +

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

Endean Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Jane Endean, aged 23, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Standard" 5
  • Mr. Henry Endean, (b. 1843), aged 20, Cornish labourer, from Lands End, Cornwall, UK travelling aboard the ship "Shackamaxon" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 3rd September 1863 6
  • Mr. William Endean, (b. 1842), aged 23, Cornish gardener departing from Liverpool on 11th July 1865 aboard the ship "Duke of Newcastle" arriving in Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 20th October 1865 7
  • Mrs. Louisa Endean, (b. 1843), aged 22, Cornish domestic servant departing from Liverpool on 11th July 1865 aboard the ship "Duke of Newcastle" arriving in Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 20th October 1865 7
  • Miss Edith Endean, (b. 1864), aged 1, Cornish settler departing from Liverpool on 11th July 1865 aboard the ship "Duke of Newcastle" arriving in Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia on 20th October 1865 7

New Zealand Endean migration to New Zealand +

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:

Endean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Bessy Endean, (b. 1856), aged 20, Cornish servant departing on 24th June 1876 aboard the ship "Waitangi" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 16th September 1876 8
  • Mrs. Ann Endean, (b. 1854), aged 22, Cornish settler departing on 14th April 1876 aboard the ship "Camperdown" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port on 4th July 1876 9
  • Miss Emily Endean, (b. 1874), aged 2, Cornish settler departing on 14th April 1876 aboard the ship "Camperdown" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port on 4th July 1876 9
  • Mr. George Endean, (b. 1873), aged 3, Cornish settler departing on 14th April 1876 aboard the ship "Camperdown" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port on 4th July 1876 9
  • Mr. Jeremiah Endean, (b. 1852), aged 24, Cornish labourer departing on 14th April 1876 aboard the ship "Camperdown" going to Marlborough, New Zealand arriving in port on 4th July 1876 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Endean (post 1700) +

  • Barry Endean (b. 1946), English footballer who played from 1968 to 1977
  • John Endean (1844-1925), Cornish settler and gold miner in Australia in 1863, but left for California in 1864, and then settled on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand in 1870 for the gold rush there
  • Russell Endean (1924-2003), South African cricketer who played in 28 Tests from 1951 to 1958
  • Craig Thomas Endean (b. 1968), Canadian retired National Hockey League left winger who played two games for the Winnipeg Jets in the 1986 season
  • William Phillips "Bill" Endean (1884-1957), New Zealand lawyer and politician, member of the Reform Party and later the National Party


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  4. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  5. South Australian Register Monday 18th December 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Standard 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/standard1854.shtml
  6. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 19). Emigrants to Australia NSW 1860 -88 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/nsw_passenger_lists_1860_88.pdf
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_victoria.pdf
  8. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  9. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf


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