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Origins Available: |
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The name Odgent belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived near an oak valley, or came from the place called Ogden, in West Yorkshire. The surname Odgent derives from the Old English words ac and denu, which mean oak and valley, respectively. Other records show the surname Odgent originating in Somerset, but became prominent in Lancashire.
The surname Odgent 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 Odgent research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Odgent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Odgent include Ogden, Okden, Oakden, Ogdon, Odgen and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Odgent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Odgent were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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..