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![Show Contents]() Chittendyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Chittendyn has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in the village of Crotynden (Crittenden or Cruttenden) in West Kent. This lost village is thought to have derived its name from the Old English personal name Gu(dh)here + Old English "-ing" and "denn," literally meaning "person living near a woodland pasture." (Oxford) Another source claims the name was derived from "the cot on the lower hill; from cru, a cot; tane, lower, and dun or din, a hill; or it may be the chalk hill, from krit, Saxon, chalk." 1 Early Origins of the Chittendyn familyThe surname Chittendyn was first found in West Kent at Crittenden. While this is the generally accepted origin of the name one source claims the family originally "came from Criddon, formerly Critendone (Cridela's hill), in Shropshire." 2 Early History of the Chittendyn familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chittendyn research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1481 is included under the topic Early Chittendyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Chittendyn Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Chittendyn have been found, including Crittenden, Cruttenden, Critenden, Crutenden and many more. Early Notables of the Chittendyn familyMore information is included under the topic Early Chittendyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Chittendyn familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Chittendyn, or a variant listed above: George Crittenden who arrived in San Francisco in 1852 with his wife, six children, and two servants; Albert Crittenden, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1876.
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
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