Hepden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The Hepden surname is thought to be derived from one of several place names in West Yorkshire. The place names come from the Old English "heope," or "(rose) hip," and "denu," which meant "valley." 1

Early Origins of the Hepden family

The surname Hepden was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Hebden, a township, in the parish of Linton, union of Skipton, E. division of the wapentake of Staincliffe and Ewcross. 2 3 This township dates back to the Domesday Book where it was recorded as Hebedene. 4

In the same West Riding, the village of Hebden Bridge which "derives its name from the river Hebden, which divides the village into two portions, communicating with each other by two neat bridges." 2 The first record for this village was in 1399 when it was recorded as Hepdenbryge. 1

In 1120 the manor of Hebden was granted by Roger de Mowbray to Uctred de Hebden, who was a descendant of Uctred, Earl of Northumberland. The Curia Regis Rolls of 1208 lists Elias de Heppedon in 1208 and later the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire lists William de Hebbeden in 1312. 5

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include Dionisius de Hebdeyn, and Adam de Hebden, Salter, was listed as a Freemen of York, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of Edward III. 6

"The Hebdens, who derive their name from more than one West Riding village, are probably for the most part descended from an ancient gentle family of Ripon during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, where they frequently filled the office of wakeman and afterwards of mayor. William de Hebden was rector of Burnsall in the reign of Edward III. Baker Hebdon was warden of Hull in 1761 (Tickell's "Hull"). The Hebdens are now numerous in the district of Bedale, and they are still represented in Ripon." 7

Further to the north in Scotland, "a family of this name possessed the island of Eday, Orkney, in the nineteenth century. [The family was] probably from one or other of the villages of the name in the West Riding of Yorkshire. William de Hebden was rector of Burnsall, Yorkshire, in the reign of Edward III." 8

Early History of the Hepden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hepden research. Another 148 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1612, 1670, 1738, 1755, 1763 and 1811 are included under the topic Early Hepden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hepden Spelling Variations

Spelling 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 Hepden have been found, including Hebden, Hebdon, Heberden, Hepden, Habton, Habdon, Hibdon, Hibden, Ebdon and many more.

Early Notables of the Hepden family

Distinguished members of the family include William Hebden, Rector of Burnsall, Sir John Hebden, a Russian merchant agent for Tsar Alexis embassy to Russia for Charles II; and his son, Sir John Hebdon (1612-1670.) His father is buried at Lower Tooting in Surrey. 2Thomas Ebdon was born at Durham in 1738. It is presumed from the circumstance of the name and date 'T. Ebdon, 1755,' still remaining, carved...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hepden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hepden family

Families 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 Hepden, or a variant listed above: John Ebden who settled in Barbados in 1670; Thomas Ebdon settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1716; Thomas Hebden settled in Virginia in 1634; John Hebden settled in Virginia in 1651..

The Hepden Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Re e merito
Motto Translation: This through merit.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)