Surname Hendon - Meaning and Origin
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Taking an iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey Into My Surname Hendon And Beyond
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read moreHendon: What does the surname Hendon mean?
The surname Hendon is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is geographical, denoting a person who hailed from a place named Hendon. There are towns named Hendon in both London and Sunderland in England. The name Hendon itself is derived from the Old English words 'hean', meaning high, and 'dun', meaning hill. Thus, metaphorically, the name could be interpreted as "from the high hill". Such geographical names became surnames when families moved from one place to another, usually for purposes of work or better living conditions, and adopted the name of their former hometown as their surname to denote their origins. Over time, it has evolved and been changed, standardized and passed down through generations, maintaining its connection to its geographical namesake. Nonetheless, the original meaning of 'Hendon' as 'from the high hill' may have lesser significance in contemporary times, with the name primarily serving as a marker of familial lineage and identity.
Order DNA origin analysisHendon: Where does the name Hendon come from?
The surname Hendon is of English origin. It is a habitational name from Hendon, a place in Middlesex, which is now part of Greater London. The name signifies 'the high hill', from the Old English "heah" for high and "dun" for hill. Many families with this surname left England and emigrated to the United States, Canada, and other parts of the British Commonwealth. Therefore, the last name Hendon can be found relatively common in these regions, especially in the United States. Nonetheless, it remains an uncommon surname in comparison to more popular names. It's also important to note that the prevalence of a surname varies over time and can be influenced by migration patterns and other demographic changes.
Variations of the surname Hendon
The surname Hendon is believed to have originated from the same name of a district in the northwest area of Greater London. Its spelling variations may include Hendin, Henden, Hendan, Endon, Hendun, and Honden.
Early recorded instances of the surname can be found in different regions of England and Scotland. For instance, a William Hendun was recorded in 1279 in "The Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire".
The surname evolved according to regional dialects and phonetic spellings, leading to the creation of multiple related and similar names over the centuries. These names have been used interchangeably in historical records and may refer to the same family lineage or clan.
There are also more complex surname variants that could have originated from the same name, such as Henton, Henington, Henderson, Hindon, Hyndon, and Hendenham. Some of these variants, like Henderson, have now become popular surnames in their own right.
As surnames were sometimes based on locations, variants of Hendon may also denote ancestral ties to geographical areas like the village of Hinton or the city of Hendon. Though these names have different spellings and pronunciation, they carry a similar weight of ancestry and heritage from the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Hendon
- Ryan Hendon: American para cycling and hand-cycling champion, 4-time Paralympic medalist.
- Lenny Hendon: American retierd baseball player who played for the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians.
- Bill Hendon: Former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina.
- Howard Hendon: Former foil and saber fencer who competed in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Karl Hendon: Retired professional basketball player who played two season in the NBA.
- Trevon Hendon: American football defensive tackle who most recently played with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football.
- William Hendon: American soccer player who played for two teams in the Professional Development League.
- Gene Hendon: Retired defensive end who played four seasons in the National Football League.
- Robert Hendon: American actor who is best known for his roles as Lt. Cmdr. Walter 'Bud' Hendon Jr. in the 1979 film The Onion Field and Lt. David Finley in the 1976 film French Connection II.
- William Earnest Hendon: Former member of the United Kingdom Parliament, representing the Scottish National Party.