Debenham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Debenham was first found in Suffolk at Debenham, a large village and civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Depbenham. 1 2 The place name literally means "homestead or village by the deep river," from the Old English words "deope" + "ham." 3

While most of the variants for this family are fairly straightforward, its hard believe that the name Deadman was indeed one of them. 4 5 6

Another reference claims the place name derives its name from its situation on the river Deben, which rises at some distance above the town. The kings of the East Angles are said to have held their courts at Debenham, where they had a palace. Originally a market town, Debenham was originally in the union of Bosmere and Claydon, hundred of Thredling and was held by William de Gulafra from Robert Malet who was recorded in the Domesday Book. At that time, Debenham consisted of two churches, St. Mary and St. Andrew and held twenty pigs and twenty eight goats and was noted for it's Norman church. 1

Not withstanding the aforementioned Suffolk reference, we must look to Huntingdonshire to find the first entry in early rolls, that of John de Debenham in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279. 4 2

By the seventeenth century, spelling variations were numerous, but all residing in Suffolk: Robert Debenham, Debnam; Francis Debnam, Deadman; John Deadman, Debingham; and Stephen Dedman, Thomas Dednum. All were recorded in 1674. 4

As one might expect, the famed William Debenham (1794-1863), was born in Apheton, Suffolk. He joined Thomas Clark in a partnership to manage a draper's store at 44 Wigmore Street in London. This store which was later to become known by the eponymous Debenhams grew to 178 locations across the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland.