Show ContentsSugden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Sugden family

The surname Sugden was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Sugden, "some small spot, which I have failed to identify." 1 One of the earliest records of the name was William de Sugden who was listed in the Feet of Fines of Yorkshire in 1362. 2 Another source claims that the name was originally from Sussex. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Robertus de Sugden; Willelmus Sugden; and Robertus de Sugdeyn. 1

Early History of the Sugden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sugden research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the year 1852 is included under the topic Early Sugden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sugden Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sugden, Suggden, Sudgen, Sugdene and others.

Early Notables of the Sugden family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sugden of Sussex


United States Sugden migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Sugden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John, Jonas, and Sarah Sugden, with child, who, who settled in New York State in 1820
  • Anderson, David, George, John, and Joseph Sugden, all, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1847 and 1868

Australia Sugden migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Sugden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Edward Sugden, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on September 21, 1826, settling in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Mr. Charles Sugden, English convict who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Augusta Jessie" on 27 September 1834, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
  • Mr. William Sugden, British Convict who was convicted in York, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 5
  • Mr. John Sugden, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 25th June 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Sugden (post 1700) +

  • Kent Sugden Ph.D., American Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Montana
  • W. S. Sugden, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1912 7
  • Thomas Sugden, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Hartland, 1822, 1828, 1836 7
  • Joseph J. Sugden, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Yates County, 1956; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1960 7
  • Gilbert T. Sugden, American politician, U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue for the 28th New York District, 1932 7
  • Elisha Sugden, American politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Canton, 1828 7
  • Rhian Marie Sugden (b. 1986), English lingerie and glamour model
  • Philip Sugden (1947-2014), English historian, best known for his excessive studies of Jack the Ripper case
  • John Goldthorp Sugden, English Headmaster, Wellingborough School
  • Tim Sugden, English professional racer and team owner from Leeds, England who won the 2005 Porsche Cup
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Dorsetshire
  • Peter Woodhouse Sugden (d. 1945), British Engine Room Artificer 4th Class aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 8
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Thomas John Sugden, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 9
  • Mr. Frank Sugden (b. 1921), English Able Seaman from England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 9


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1826 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1826
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th August 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/augusta-jessie
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emily
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 1) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  8. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  9. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html


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