Camdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Camdon is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Gloucestershire, where they held a family seat at Chipping Campden. The name is derived from the Old English "camp," meaning "a battle or war." 1

"This place, which is of very great antiquity, is supposed to have derived its name from an encampment formed prior to a battle between the Mercians and the West Saxons. In 689, a congress of the Saxon chiefs, confederated for the conquest of Britain, was held here." 2

Alternatively the name could have originated in Camden-Town, a chapelry, in the parish of St. Pancras, Holborn division of the hundred of Ossulstone, county of Middlesex. "This place takes its name from the Marquess Camden, lessee of the prebendal manor of Cantelows, in which it is situated." 2

Early Origins of the Camdon family

The surname Camdon was first found in Gloucestershire at Chipping Campden. 3 Here the first record of the family was found in 1273. At that time, the Hundredorum, Rolls listed Hugh de Campeden as holding lands there at that time. The same rolls also listed John de Campeden in Northamptonshire. 4

While there is no doubt that this is the home to the family, earlier records show Ebrard de Campeden recordced in the Pipe Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1190 and John de Campeden in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1260. 3

Early History of the Camdon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Camdon research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1190, 1551 and 1623 are included under the topic Early Camdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Camdon Spelling Variations

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 Camdon were recorded, including Camden, Campden and others.

Early Notables of the Camdon family

Notables of the family at this time include William Camden (1551-1623), English antiquarian, historian, topographer, and herald, best known as author of Britannia, the first chorographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Annales, the first detailed historical account of the reign of Elizabeth I of England. Born in the Old Bailey, London, his father Sampson Camden...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Camdon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Camdon family

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 Camdon family emigrate to North America: Charles Camden who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1850.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)