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Origins Available: |
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In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Odgen surname lived near an oak valley, or came from the place called Ogden, in West Yorkshire. The surname Odgen derives from the Old English words ac and denu, which mean oak and valley, respectively. Other records show the surname Odgen originating in Somerset, but became prominent in Lancashire.
The surname Odgen 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
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Odgen research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Odgen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Odgen are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Odgen include: Ogden, Okden, Oakden, Ogdon, Odgen and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Odgen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Odgen or a variant listed above: 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..