Snedden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The Snedden name is a habitational name taken on from the place Snowden, in West Yorkshire. The place name is derived from the Old English words "snow," meaning "snow," and "dun," meaning "hill." 1 2

"There are hamlets called Upper and Lower Snowden in West Yorkshire, Snowden Close in Cumberland, and a Snowdon Pool in Salop (Shropshire). The great Welsh mountain may occasionally have contributed to this surname by the migration of a Welshman from its neighbourhood." 1

However, another source notes that the "surname is not likely to have been derived from the famous Welsh mountain. It is probably the name of some English locality." 3

Early Origins of the Snedden family

The surname Snedden was first found in Essex where Henry de Snewedon was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1277. The following year Matthew de Snoudon was listed in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1278. 4

In Somerset, John Snowdone was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 5

In Scotland, Snadden and its variants were more common and the name may have originated "from the lands of Snaw-done (1637) or Snawdoune (1649) in the bailliary of Lawderdaill." 6

Early History of the Snedden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Snedden research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1558, 1600, 1616, 1640, 1688, 1699, 1711, 1744 and 1763 are included under the topic Early Snedden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Snedden Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Snowden, Sneddan, Sneddon, Snedden, Snawdone and many more.

Early Notables of the Snedden family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Snedden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Snedden migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Snedden Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Snedden who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1755

Snedden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Richard Snedden, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854 7
William Snedden, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1873 7

Snedden migration to Australia +

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

Snedden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Snedden, aged 33, a coal miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Anglia" 8
Walter Snedden, aged 34, a coal miner, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Anglia" 8
Jane Snedden, aged 20, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Snedden (post 1700) +

Thomas Snedden, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Wyoming, 1916 10
Stephen Snedden (b. 1971), American actor
Sir Billy Mackie Snedden KCMG, PC, QC (1926-1987), Australian politician from Perth, Western Australia, Leader of the Opposition (1972-1975), Speaker of the House of Representatives (1976-1983)
Martin Snedden (b. 1958), New Zealand cricketer
Colin Snedden (b. 1918), New Zealand cricketer
Bob Snedden (1867-1931), South African rugby union footballer
Robert Snedden, Diplomat
Rt. Hon. Billy Snedden (1926-1987), Australian MP

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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)
South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ANGLIA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/anglia1852.shtml
South Australian Register Monday 26th December 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Epaminondas 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1853.shtml
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 25) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html