This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a patronymic (son of) of "Budd", from a nickname describing a plump or thickset person, from the Olde English pre 7th Century "budd". A sizeable group of early European surnames were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to occupation, or to a variety of characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition, and to habits of dress. By the Medieval period it had become a personal name with, the diminutive "Budekin" also appearing. One Brihtmerus Budde, circa 1025 is recorded in "Old English Bynames of Cambridgeshire", by G. Tenqrick. The surname was first recorded in the late 13th Century (see below), and other early recordings include: William Budekin, who appeared in the 1273 Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire 1273, and John Budden, of Dorset, recorded in the Oxford University Registers of 1582. Recordings from Kensington Church Registers include the marriage of Simon Budden and Joane Mulberstav, in 1632. The spelling Budden remains unvaried to the present day. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ermegard Budun, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Northamptonshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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