Show ContentsOckendon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Ockendon surname is thought to be a habitational name derived from any of several place names, such as Oxenden in Kent. These place names come from the Old English local description of the "valley of the oxen."

Early Origins of the Ockendon family

The surname Ockendon was first found in Kent where they held a family seat. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1170 in Essex but Ailric Ockenden is thought to have been a branches of the old baronial family of Oxenden in Kent.

Early History of the Ockendon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ockendon research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1330, 1455, 1487, 1607, 1614, 1620, 1645, 1651, 1660, 1661, 1669, 1686 and 1703 are included under the topic Early Ockendon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ockendon 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. Ockendon has been spelled many different ways, including Oxenden, Ockenden, Okenden, Okendon, Oxendon, Oxenford, Wokenden, Ockendon and many more.

Early Notables of the Ockendon family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Solomon Oxenden of Kent; Sir James Oxenden; and his son, Sir Henry Oxenden, 1st Baronet (1614-1686), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Winchelsea (1645); and his...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ockendon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ockendon 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 Ockendons to arrive in North America: Nelson Ockenden, who was on record in Oregon in 1850; as well as William Ockenden, who came to California in 1884.



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