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Vodden is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a god of Anglo Saxon origin. The surname Vodden originally derived from the Old English word Odin, Fodin, or Voden. which referred to an ancient pagan god of the Saxons. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the pre-Christian era, many pagan gods and demigods were believed to be a mixture of animals and humans, such as the Greek god Pan who was the god of flocks and herds and was represented as a man with the legs, horns and ears of a goat.
The surname Vodden was first found in Sussex where two early entries of the family were found: Thomas Foydn in 1296 and John Fodyn in 1327. Both were recorded in the Subsidy Rolls. 1
While these previous entries are the oldest, we must look to Cheshire as the stronghold for the family. Here they established Foden, now Foden Bank "in the township of Sutton, parish of Prestbury, Cheshire. This surname is well represented in Cheshire and Lancashire." 2
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vodden research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1563, 1568, 1592 and 1613 are included under the topic Early Vodden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Vodden were recorded, including Foden, Fodon, Vodden, Voden and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Vodden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Vodden family emigrate to North America: