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![Show Contents]() Chittendand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The ancestry of the name Chittendand dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the village of Crotynden (Crittenden or Cruttenden) in West Kent. This lost village is thought to have derived its name from the Old English personal name Gu(dh)here + Old English "-ing" and "denn," literally meaning "person living near a woodland pasture." (Oxford) Another source claims the name was derived from "the cot on the lower hill; from cru, a cot; tane, lower, and dun or din, a hill; or it may be the chalk hill, from krit, Saxon, chalk." 1 Early Origins of the Chittendand familyThe surname Chittendand was first found in West Kent at Crittenden. While this is the generally accepted origin of the name one source claims the family originally "came from Criddon, formerly Critendone (Cridela's hill), in Shropshire." 2 Early History of the Chittendand familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chittendand research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1481 is included under the topic Early Chittendand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Chittendand Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Chittendand have been found, including Crittenden, Cruttenden, Critenden, Crutenden and many more. Early Notables of the Chittendand familyMore information is included under the topic Early Chittendand Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Chittendand familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Chittendand, or a variant listed above: George Crittenden who arrived in San Francisco in 1852 with his wife, six children, and two servants; Albert Crittenden, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1876.
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
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