Ovenden Family History

Perhaps from Ovingdean (Sussex), which is recorded as Ouingeden in the 11th century and Vuingeden in 1198, though no medieval forms of this surname have been found; an alternative derivation from (2) is not impossible by family migration.

The place-name Ovingdean derives from the Old English personal name Ofa or Ūfa + the Old English group name suffix -ingas (genitive -inga-) + Old English denu ‘valley’. See Ovington.

Possibly sometimes from Ovenden (WR Yorks), which is recorded as Ovenden and Ovinden in the 13th century, but Redmonds Dictionary of Yorks Surnames argues that in WR Yorks it is chiefly a variant of the Lancs surname Wolfenden.

Citing Lawrence Woffendenne or Hovenden 1560–4 (Halifax parish registers) and Joshua Wolfenden otherwise Woffindale otherwise Ovenden of Heckmondwike 1770 (Birstall parish registers).

The place-name Ovenden derives from Old English ofen ‘furnace’ or ofan, ufan ‘over above’ + denu ‘valley’.