Show ContentsBugden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Today's generation of the Bugden family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Bugden family lived in Huntingdon. The Bugden line was descended from the Norman French name Bogin, a local name in Calvados in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Bugden family

The surname Bugden was first found in Huntingdonshire where they held a family seat from very early times, and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. William de Buggenden, was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195; and Claricia de Buggeden was listed in the Sussex Rolls in 1219.

Early History of the Bugden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bugden research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bugden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bugden Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bugden include Bugden, Bugdon, Budgen and others.

Early Notables of the Bugden family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • John Bugden of Newdegate

Bugden Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Bugden is the 447th most popular surname with an estimated 105 people with that name. [1]


United States Bugden migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Bugdens to arrive on North American shores:

Bugden Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Tobias Bugden who settled in Maryland in 1734

Australia Bugden migration to Australia +

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

Bugden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Bugden, British convict who was convicted in Salisbury (New Sarum), Wiltshire, England for life, transported aboard the "England" on 6th June 1835, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [2]
  • Thomas Bugden, aged 15, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Sir Thomas Gresham" [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Bugden (post 1700) +

  • Robert "Bob" Bugden (1936-2023), Australian rugby league player who played from 1956 to 1960, member of the New South Wales Team (1960-1964) and Australian National Team (1959-1960)
  • Patrick Joseph Bugden VC (1897-1917), Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross; he was killed during the Battle of Polygon Wood and was posthumously awarded the VC
  • Mark Bugden (b. 1961), nicknamed "Buggo", a former Australian professional rugby league player who played from 1981 to 1990
  • Patrick Alfred "Paddy" Bugden (1920-1993), Australian rugby league player of the 1940s
  • Geoff Bugden (b. 1960), Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played from 1979 to 1989


  1. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
  3. South Australian Register Monday 20th March 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Sir Thomas Gresham 1858. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/sirthomasgresham1858.shtml


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