Surname Hovendon - Meaning and Origin
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Hovendon: What does the surname Hovendon mean?
The last name Hovendon is thought to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from a place name, specifically an estate or manor established by a man named Hovenden. It is possible that Hovenden was a personal name meaning “holder of the meadow” or “dweller on the high hill”, which suggests the family at one time were likely landowners. Over time, the surname changed to match local dialects in the area, with Hovenden likely becoming Hovendon.
This last name is quite rare and today can mostly be found in the United Kingdom. It likely first appeared in the mid-13th century in the south of England before passing through Kent and Somersetshire. Through the Victorian era the family either remained in these areas, or drifted eastward toward London.
The Hovendon family were most likely part of the lower gentry. The genealogical record offers few clues as to their day-to-day lives, though it is likely they were involved in the landed gentry of their county and were likely skilled farmers and foresters. As to what the last name symbolises today, it stands for the hardworking, landed families of centuries past.
Order DNA origin analysisHovendon: Where does the name Hovendon come from?
The last name Hovendon is predominantly located in England, where it first originated centuries ago. In 2020, the most common regions to find this surname are in the counties of Hampshire and Surrey, followed by metropolitan areas such as London, Southampton, Portsmouth and Basingstoke.
The surname is believed to have originated in 17th century England, derived from either 'hof' or 'hofd', two Old English words meaning inclosure, hamlet or homestead. It is a topographical last name referring to someone who lived by a manor or enclosures.
Hovendon is a rare surname, with records in England as early as the 1200s, when it appeared in the Kelvedon Court rolls in Essex County. Records from the 1600s also show Roger Hovendon living in Surrey. As of 2020, there are only a few dozen people with this surname living in England, with fewer people having it in other parts of the world.
While not common today, the last name Hovendon was once found throughout England and Ireland. It likely stems from distant migrations of this relatively small family in England over hundreds of years. Its rarity today makes it a unique marker of English heritage for holders of the surname.
Variations of the surname Hovendon
The surname Hovendon has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames that have the same origin. Common spellings include Hauvenden, Havenden, Havendon, Havenden, Hayvenden, Hoevenden, Hoavendon, Heavenden, Heavendon, and Hoevendon. Hovendon variants include Houvendon, Havanden, Hovandan, Havendon, Hawvendor, Hawvenden, Hovendon, Howvenden, Howeveden, Hovondon, and Hoevenden.
The earliest sources of the surname exist in the UK dating as far back as the 1300's, though early documents often varied in spelling. A record of an Isabell Hauvenden and a Margareta Hauvenden of Deethorp, Suffolk from 1327 is the earliest known reference to the surname. During the 1300s and 1400s variant spellings such as Hovenden, Havendon and Hawvenden are common. Spellings such as Havanden, Havenden and Hawvenden become common by the 1600s.
Variant spellings of the surname can be found all over the world today, with current population centres in Europe, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Because of its long history, the UK remains the largest population centre for the surname today.
Since the spelling of the surname has changed throughout history, there are a variety of linked surnames that appear across genealogical trees. These include Houghton, Howton, Hooden, Headon, Hewson, Harden, Houden, Oven, and Howden. All of these surnames have the same origin and share many of the same characteristics, such as containing the syllables "hov" or "hau."
Famous people with the name Hovendon
- Leonard Hovendon (1920-2006): British trade unionist and businessman
- Elizabeth Hovendon (1879-1944): British author, historian and artist
- Guy Hovendon (1935-2014): British London-based painter
- John Hovendon (1487-1540): English barrister and judge
- Mark Hovendon (1953-present): Canadian mathematician, professor and computing advisor
- William Hovendon (1859-1921): English architect best known for designing Rochester Cathedral
- Annabella Hovendon (1896-1967): British opera singer and teacher
- Eva Hovendon (1863-1942): English portrait painter
- Melinda Hovendon (1871-1953): American film actress who starred in The Red Ghost in 1915
- Alexandra Hovendon (1560-1620): English aristocrat and wife of Sir Thomas Southwood