Sodan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the name Sodan date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in an area that was referred to as the south down. The surname may also refer to the valley where the sows were kept. In either occasion the surname denotes a place-name in the county of Devon. 1

Early Origins of the Sodan family

The surname Sodan was first found in Devon at Sowton, a parish, in the union of St. Thomas, partly in the hundred of East Budleigh, but chiefly in that of Wonford. 2

The earliest record of the parish was in 1420, when it was recorded as Southton. Literally the place name means "south farmstead or village." Interestingly the place name was originally known as Clis 3 at the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, after the River Clyst. However, there is no known record as to why the name change took place. 4

Another source claims the name originated in Yorkshire where Alan Soldenc, Soldench was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1166 and 1175. Later, Roger le Soudan was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Yorkshire in 1208 and later again, Robert le Sowden was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire in 1279. 5

Early History of the Sodan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sodan research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sodan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sodan Spelling Variations

Sodan has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Sodan have been found, including Sowdon, Sowden, Sowton, Sowten and others.

Early Notables of the Sodan family

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

Migration of the Sodan family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Sodans to arrive on North American shores: John, Michael, and Benjamin Sowden who settled in Maryland in 1774; William Sowden arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860; Mary Sowton settled in Maryland in 1737..

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)