Herden History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Herden

What does the name Herden mean?

Herden is a name that was formed by the Anglo-Saxon society of old Britain. The name was thought to have been used for someone who once worked as a guardian of cattle or sheep. The surname Herden is derived from the Old English word hierdeman, which means herdman.

Early Origins of the Herden family

The surname Herden was first found in Norfolk, where Osbert Hirdam was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1166. A few years later, Simon le Hyrdeman was found in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1181 and John le Herdman, Walter Herdman were found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. 1

The Herder variant is very rare but in this case, Nicholas le Herder was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327; and John Hurder was listed in Somerset in 1333. The name is derived from the Middle English word "herden," or "hurdern," literally meaning "to take care of, to tend," from the word "herdman." 1

Early History of the Herden family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Herden research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1268, 1272, 1273, 1307, 1524, 1762 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Herden History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herden Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Herden include Herdman, Herdsman, Hurdman, Heardman, Herder, Hearden, Herden, Hirdman and many more.

Early Notables of the Herden family

Another 25 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Herden Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Herden family to Ireland

Some of the Herden family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 108 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Herden migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Herden were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Herden Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Michael Herden moved to Philadelphia, PAin 1856

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)