This interesting name is of medieval Dutch origin and was originally recorded Heraldically in the Provinces of Flanders, Holland and Utrecht. The name is locational and translates as "the dweller by the river or possibly on an island in the river". Van Eeden in the Dutch spelling does not appear to be recorded in the U.K., although the ancient British name Eden or Eaden has exactly the same meaning, and recent research suggest the origin of both maybe the Greek "Piduo" meaning "to gush". The Coat of Arms is a Black Demi Lion Rampant on a Gold field. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes van der Eeden. which was dated C.1680, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. during the reign of King William III, of Orange and England, 1650 - 1703. 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.