The ancient roots of the Dierdan family name are in the
Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Dierdan comes from when the family lived in the village of Dearden in the county of Lancashire.
Early Origins of the Dierdan family
The surname Dierdan was first found in
Lancashire at Dearden, near Edenfield, Bury
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) where the name derives from the Old English word "deor" meaning "deer," and "denu", which meant "valley," collectively meaning "the valley of the deer."
Early History of the Dierdan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dierdan research.
Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1281 and 1130 are included under the topic Early Dierdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Dierdan Spelling Variations
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The
spelling variations under which the name Dierdan has appeared include Dearden, Deardens, Durden, Dureden, Deardon and many more.
Early Notables of the Dierdan family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Dierdan Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Dierdan family to the New World and Oceana
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in
England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left
England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Dierdan arrived in North America very early: Richard Dearden who settled in Virginia in 1717; Harrison, John, William Deardon, settled in Philadelphia between 1860 and 1870.
The Dierdan Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Dum Spiro Spero
Motto Translation: While I have breath I hope.