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![Show Contents]() Oakdan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The Oakdan name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived near an oak valley, or came from the place called Ogden, in West Yorkshire. The surname Oakdan derives from the Old English words ac and denu, which mean oak and valley, respectively. Other records show the surname Oakdan originating in Somerset, but became prominent in Lancashire. Early Origins of the Oakdan familyThe surname Oakdan was first found in West Yorkshire at Ogden, a small hamlet north of Halifax. Historically part of Lancashire, this hamlet was where Elias de Akeden, de Aggeden was listed the Assize Rolls of that shire in 1246. Almost one hundred years later, Richard de Okeden was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 1 "This family name, so familiar to South Lancashire, sprang up in the neighbourhood of Crompton and [in the] parish of Rochdale." 2 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list John de Okedon in Yorkshire and the Assize Rolls of Lancashire of 1246-1247 list Elias de Akeden. Almost one hundred years later, the Lancashire Feet of Fines include Thomas Okeden as holding lands there in 1444. 3 Early History of the Oakdan familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Oakdan research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Oakdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Oakdan Spelling VariationsOnly recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Oakdan has undergone many spelling variations, including Ogden, Okden, Oakden, Ogdon, Odgen and others. Early Notables of the Oakdan familyMore information is included under the topic Early Oakdan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Oakdan familyTo escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Oakdan were among those contributors: David Ogden settled in Delaware Bay in 1682; Randall Ogden arrived in Barbados in 1634; John Ogden arrived in Connecticut in 1635; Charles, David, Emmanual, Henry, James, John, Samuel, Robert and William Ogden all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..
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: Et si ostendo non jacto
Motto Translation: And if I show I do not boast.
- 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)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
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