Durdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Durdan

What does the name Durdan mean?

Durdan is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in the village of Dearden in the county of Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Durdan family

The surname Durdan was first found in Lancashire at Dearden, near Edenfield, Bury 1 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 Durdan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Durdan research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1130 and 1281 are included under the topic Early Durdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Durdan Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Durdan has been recorded under many different variations, including Dearden, Deardens, Durden, Dureden, Deardon and many more.

Early Notables of the Durdan family

More information is included under the topic Early Durdan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Durdan family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Durdan or a variant listed above: Richard Dearden who settled in Virginia in 1717; Harrison, John, William Deardon, settled in Philadelphia between 1860 and 1870.

Contemporary Notables of the name Durdan (post 1700) +

Donald Edgar "Don" Durdan (1920-1971), American football player for the San Francisco 49ers (1946–1947) and basketball player

The Durdan 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.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)