Sowden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The ancestors of the name Sowden date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in an area that was referred to as the south down. The surname may also refer to the valley where the sows were kept. In either occasion the surname denotes a place-name in the county of Devon. 1

Early Origins of the Sowden family

The surname Sowden was first found in Devon at Sowton, a parish, in the union of St. Thomas, partly in the hundred of East Budleigh, but chiefly in that of Wonford. 2

The earliest record of the parish was in 1420, when it was recorded as Southton. Literally the place name means "south farmstead or village." Interestingly the place name was originally known as Clis 3 at the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, after the River Clyst. However, there is no known record as to why the name change took place. 4

Another source claims the name originated in Yorkshire where Alan Soldenc, Soldench was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1166 and 1175. Later, Roger le Soudan was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Yorkshire in 1208 and later again, Robert le Sowden was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire in 1279. 5

Early History of the Sowden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sowden research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sowden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sowden Spelling Variations

Sowden has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Sowden have been found, including Sowdon, Sowden, Sowton, Sowten and others.

Early Notables of the Sowden family

Notables of the family at this time include


Sowden migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Sowdens to arrive on North American shores:

Sowden Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Sowden Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Sowden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Sowden migration to Australia +

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

Sowden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Sowden 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:

Sowden Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Sowden (post 1700) +
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