Surname Dudney - Meaning and Origin
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Dudney: What does the surname Dudney mean?
The last name Dudney is derived from the Old English personal name Dudno, meaning "crooked eyes". The roots of the name can be traced back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that existed in Britain during the Middle Ages.
Variations by spelling and pronunciation of the name Dudney are found in historical records from this period. Examples include Dudeny, Dudne, Dudni, Dudney and Dudny. These are usually translations of medieval Anglo-Saxon documents, spelling-out the name as it would have been pronounced at the time.
In medieval Britain, this name could have been used to refer to someone with a particular eye shape or eye colour, or even a specific eye deformity. This could have been viewed as either a physical attribute or a sign of wisdom.
Some geographical locations likely had a connection to the last name Dudney. In the period spanning between 1200 to 1500 A.D., the Dudney family is recorded to have lived in the historic county of Warwickshire, England.
In modern times, the last name Dudney is believed to have originated in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. In the United States, it is especially prevalent in the state of Tennessee, where Dudneys have been recorded living for centuries.
The last name Dudney carries a storied history with an ancient Anglo-Saxon origin, and continues to be shared by families today.
Order DNA origin analysisDudney: Where does the name Dudney come from?
The last name Dudney is most commonly found residing in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, there are 240 Dudney households living in the US - most of which are located in Georgia and North Carolina.
Dudney is a name that has been around since the Middle Ages, although its origins are unknown. It is thought to be related to the English surnames Dodson and Dodgin, meaning son of Dodd or David. It is also possible that Dudney could be an old English spelling of Dunham, meaning 'home on the hill.'
The Dudney family have made their home in small towns throughout the South for centuries. They can be found in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina.
The most famous Dudney to be found in the United States is an African-American musician and early roots-rock pioneer Zebedee "Bud" Dudney who was born in Sparta, Georgia in 1925. He recorded eight singles in the 1950s and early 1960s, all of which are highly sought-after by collectors of early rhythm and blues music.
The Dudney family have made their home in the United States for hundreds of years, and with more more than 200 households still found in US Census data, the name continues to be common in the South today.
Variations of the surname Dudney
The Dudney surname has a wide variety of spellings and variants including Dudney, Dudny, Dudnie, Dudnie, Duddney, Dudeney, Dudeney, Deadney, Dedney, Deady, and Deaden.
The surname originated from the Old English language, with the root ‘dud’ meaning ‘bad’ or ‘worthless’ and ‘ney’ meaning ‘meadow’. Because of this, the name’s literal translation is ‘worthless meadow’.
The Dudney surname is mostly found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. It’s most common variant and spelling is Dudney, and is found most frequently in Scotland and Ireland.
Dudny and Dudnie are the most common spellings, followed by Dudeney, Deadney, and Dedney. Dudney is also sometimes spelled as Duden.
The surnames Deaden and Deady are also variants of Dudney, and both are found primarily in Ireland. Both Deaden and Deady are derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘deadad’, meaning ‘prayer’.
The Dudney surname is sometimes also spelled as Dudny, Dudeney, and Duden. These variations might be found in Scotland, Ireland, and England.
In summary, the Dudney surname has a wide variety of spellings and variants. The most common variants and spellings are Dudney, Dudny, and Dudnie. Deaden and Deady are variants that are mostly found in Ireland. Dudeney, Deadney, and Dedney are also common variants of the Dudney surname.
Famous people with the name Dudney
- David Dudney:David is a British musician and songwriter who has released a number of albums. He has performed with artists such as Elvis Costello, Marianne Faithfull, and Roger McGuinn.
- Sarah Dudney: Sarah is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She has been seen on shows such as How I Met Your Mother, Raising Hope, and Superstore.
- Linda Dudney: Linda is an American country music songwriter. She has written for artists such as Kenny Chesney,Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, and Dierks Bentley.
- Nyna Dudney: Nyna is an American theater actress. She has had lead roles in shows such as Les Miserables and Hairspray.
- Jeff Dudney: Jeff is an American keyboardist and composer. He composes music for film, television, and video games.
- George Dudney: George is a retired American professional basketball player. He played for the NBA's Denver Nuggets, Washington Bullets, and Seattle Supersonics.
- Leon Dudney: Leon is an American champion jockey. He has been featured in the Sportsmanship Hall of Fame and the Legends in Racing Hall of Fame.
- Leonard Dudney: Leonard is an American racing driver. He has competed in several historic races, such as the Daytona 24 hour race.
- Corbin Dudney: Corbin is an American singer-songwriter. He has released two albums and has been featured in articles from USA Today and The New York Times.
- Ashley Dudney: Ashley is an American dancer and choreographer. She has performed and choreographed for artists such as Britney Spears, Jason Derulo, and Rihanna.