Show ContentsHavendyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Havendyn is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the village of Haffenden in the south-eastern counties of Kent, around Canterbury, Cranbrook, Homewood, and Smarden, around Wadhurst in the county of Sussex. 1

Early Origins of the Havendyn family

The surname Havendyn was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor at Tenterden and Smarden and at Halden Bugglesden in the north part of Boresile borough. The exact locality of the ancient domain remains obscure. 2

"The gentry family derive from Lawrence Haffenden, of Bugglesden, bailiff of Tenterden, temp. Richard III. This is sufficient proof of the origin of the race among the dens of Kent, even if we did not know that they formerly had lands at Smarden and Halden. It is worth recording, that a younger branch of this family, the representative of which branch was lately the keeper of a small country inn at Heathfield, co. Sussex, have, for a series of generations, had right of sepulture in Heathfield church, where numerous gravestones mark their claim to ancient gentry." 3

Early History of the Havendyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Havendyn research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1861 and 1874 are included under the topic Early Havendyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Havendyn Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Havendyn has been spelled many different ways, including Hafenden, Haffenden, Havenden and others.

Early Notables of the Havendyn family

Another 25 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Havendyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Havendyn family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Havendyns to arrive in North America: John Havenden who landed in North America in 1750.



  1. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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