Show ContentsOkdynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient roots of the Okdynd family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Okdynd comes from when the family lived near an oak valley, or came from the place called Ogden, in West Yorkshire. The surname Okdynd derives from the Old English words ac and denu, which mean oak and valley, respectively. Other records show the surname Okdynd originating in Somerset, but became prominent in Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Okdynd family

The surname Okdynd was first found in West Yorkshire at Ogden, a small hamlet north of Halifax. Historically part of Lancashire, this hamlet was where Elias de Akeden, de Aggeden was listed the Assize Rolls of that shire in 1246. Almost one hundred years later, Richard de Okeden was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 1

"This family name, so familiar to South Lancashire, sprang up in the neighbourhood of Crompton and [in the] parish of Rochdale." 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list John de Okedon in Yorkshire and the Assize Rolls of Lancashire of 1246-1247 list Elias de Akeden. Almost one hundred years later, the Lancashire Feet of Fines include Thomas Okeden as holding lands there in 1444. 3

Early History of the Okdynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Okdynd research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Okdynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Okdynd Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Okdynd has appeared include Ogden, Okden, Oakden, Ogdon, Odgen and others.

Early Notables of the Okdynd family

More information is included under the topic Early Okdynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Okdynd family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Okdynd arrived in North America very early: David Ogden settled in Delaware Bay in 1682; Randall Ogden arrived in Barbados in 1634; John Ogden arrived in Connecticut in 1635; Charles, David, Emmanual, Henry, James, John, Samuel, Robert and William Ogden all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..



The Okdynd 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: Et si ostendo non jacto
Motto Translation: And if I show I do not boast.


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print


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