Show ContentsOckenden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Ockenden

What does the name Ockenden mean?

The Ockenden surname is thought to be a habitational name derived from any of several place names, such as Oxenden in Kent. These place names come from the Old English local description of the "valley of the oxen."

Early Origins of the Ockenden family

The surname Ockenden was first found in Kent where they held a family seat. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1170 in Essex but Ailric Ockenden is thought to have been a branches of the old baronial family of Oxenden in Kent.

Early History of the Ockenden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ockenden research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1330, 1455, 1487, 1607, 1614, 1620, 1645, 1651, 1660, 1661, 1669, 1686 and 1703 are included under the topic Early Ockenden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ockenden 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 Ockenden were recorded, including Oxenden, Ockenden, Okenden, Okendon, Oxendon, Oxenford, Wokenden, Ockendon and many more.

Early Notables of the Ockenden family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Solomon Oxenden of Kent; Sir James Oxenden; and his son, Sir Henry Oxenden, 1st Baronet (1614-1686), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Winchelsea (1645); and his...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ockenden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Ockenden migration to the United States +

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 Ockenden family emigrate to North America:

Ockenden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Nelson Ockenden, who was on record in Oregon in 1850
  • William Ockenden, who settled in California in 1884

Ockenden migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ockenden Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Ockenden who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Edward" on 23rd April 1834, arriving in Tasmania, (Van Diemen's Land) 1


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th January 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/edward


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