Budgen Family History

Perhaps a variant of Bodiam pronounced [bɔʤəm]. In the registers of Maidstone (Kent) the husband and wife William and Elizabeth Bodiom 1676 alias Bodiam 1678 alias Bodyham 1691 in IGI appear to be identical with William and Elizabeth Bodgiam 1674 and 1681 alias Bodgham 1682 and 1689 in IGI.

The vowel shift to give Budgen is apparently illustrated in Joan Bodgeam 1603 Edward Budgen 1681 Jemima Buching 1785 in IGI (Cranbrook Kent) but it may occur a century earlier in Penshurst (as Butchin and Budgen).

Alternatively, perhaps from Bodsham in Elmstead (Kent) with /ds/ becoming /ʤ/ and /ʧ/. The place-name denoted the homestead (Old English hām) of a man named with the Old English personal name *Bodd(e).