This rare and interesting is of early medieval French origin, but has an obscure etymology. It is thought to derive from an Old Germanic byname or nickname, "eutha", cognate with the Old Norse "jodh", child, used as a term of affection or for one thought to behave in a childish fashion. The name was introduced into England by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066 in the forms "Eudes" and "Eudon", and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 in the Latinized form of "Eudo". As a personal name it is recorded in England as late as 1570 as "Udo". Recordings of the name in various forms in France includes the following: Louis Honde, baptised in Manou, Maire-et-Loire, in 1617; David Heude, whose marriage to Anna Hackenberger was recorded in Creutzwald, Moselle, on June 6th 1749, and Elisabeth Lehode, christened on March 15th 1780 at Harboney, Meurthe-et-Mosett. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Marguerite Hode (christening), which was dated March 10th 1592, Angers, Maine-et-Loire, during the reign of King Henry 1V, King of France, 1589 - 1610. 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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