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Risdon History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Risdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Risdon family

The surname Risdon was first found in Kent where the first on record was Simon de Risedene who was listed there in the Pipe Rolls of 1198. The name is generally thought to have originated in Riseden in Goudhurst or at Risden in Hawkhurst. 1

From this early listing, we must move to Bableigh, Parkham in North Devon. For it here that "Risdon was the name of an old gentle family of in the 16th and 17th centuries." 2

"Of the Risdons of Bableigh, in Parkham parish, I can glean but few particulars. The Rev. Edward Risdon was very instrumental in the foundation of Douay College in 1568." 3

Early History of the Risdon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Risdon research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1091, 1163, 1230, 1399, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1567, 1580, 1600, 1622 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Risdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Risdon Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Risdon, Risden, Risdene, Risdone, Rissden, Rissdon, Rissdene, Resdon, Resden, Riseden, Risedon, Rysdon, Rysden, Ryseden and many more.

Early Notables of the Risdon family

Distinguished members of the family include

Tristram Risdon (c. 1580-1640), an English antiquarian and topographer, author of "Survey of the County of Devon...
Giles, near Torrington, Devon, and was the eldest son of William Risdon (d. 1622), who was third son of Giles Risdon of Bableigh, Parkham, Devon...

Risdon migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Risdon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mary Louise Risdon, aged 25, who landed in America, in 1896

Risdon Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mrs. Risdon, who settled in America, in 1903
Sydney Risdon, aged 35, who immigrated to the United States, in 1904
T.J. Risdon, aged 39, who settled in America, in 1906
Daisey Cartwright Risdon, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1912
Annie Isabel Risdon, aged 30, who immigrated to America from Brockenhurst, England, in 1914
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Risdon migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Risdon Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

William Risdon, aged 30, who settled in Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, in 1914

Risdon migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Risdon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Risdon, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in Napier aboard the ship "Rakaia" in 1879
Mr. John Risdon, (b. 1857), aged 22, Cornish farm labourer departing on 30th May 1879 aboard the ship "Rakaia" going to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand arriving in port on 9th September 1879 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Risdon (post 1700) +

Elisabeth Risdon (1887-1958), English film actress who appeared in over 140 films between 1913 and 1952
Dustin Risdon (b. 1981), Canadian professional golfer from Strathmore, Alberta
Joshua Risdon (b. 1992), Australian footballer

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to other ports, 1872 - 84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf