Surname Hedglen - Meaning and Origin

Hedglen: What does the surname Hedglen mean?

The last name Hedglen is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is best associated with the English county of Devonshire. It is derived from the Old English words "hege" meaning hedge or fence, and "linn" meaning pool. This surname was likely created for a person who lived near a hedge or fenced-in pool, probably used for sheep.

The Hedglen family is a mostly rural line from Devon, where they were known for their wool production and timber work. Members of the family could also be found in various parts of the UK, including Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The name Hedglen is still quite common in England, particularly in Devon, where over 200 people are known to bear the surname. Over time, this family has continued to thrive and grow, spreading to countries such as America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

This surname is often associated with the great British poet, John Hedgley, who wrote of his longing for his old home in Devonshire. He wrote of his country life to the sounds of birds singing in the hedges near his pool, which inspired him immensely.

It is clear that the last name Hedglen has been passed down through the generations, with many members of the family continuing to live and work in rural areas. It is a testament to the hardworking spirit of the Hedglen family, which has carried them through the centuries.

Hedglen: Where does the name Hedglen come from?

The last name Hedglen is said to be of German origin and is not common today. Most occurrences of the name are found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, and in the United Kingdom.

In the United States, the Hedglen surname first appears in Butler County, Ohio. As of the latest U.S. census, Hedglen families were living in Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri. In the UK, centers of activity for the Hedglen name include London, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Nottinghamshire.

Though Hedglen is an uncommon surname, it can still be found in surname databases such as the Smithy surname database. It can also be found in various genealogy directories and records, such as those held by the Family History Library, Ancestry.com, and Findmypast.com. Various books and articles have been written on Hedglen family histories, such as Rev. G. D. Hedglen's "The Hedglen Family History," published in 1904.

Hedglen is perhaps more popularly recognized as the last name of the protagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 novel "The Hobbit," three-time Academy Award winner Billy Hedglen of Austin, Texas, and the Hedglen family of Royal Doulton porcelain figurines.

Variations of the surname Hedglen

Variants of the surname Hedglen include Hedglin, Hedglyn, Hedgle, Hedglinn, Hedgyne, and Headglen. Surnames of the same origin include Headglen, Headglin, Headglyne, and Headglinn.

The spelling of the Hedglen surname varies by the particular origins of its users but generally falls between the common forms of Hedglen, Hedglin and Headglen. It is possible that the surname may have undergone certain transformations to accommodate geographic differences in vernacular language when migrating overseas, with Headglen and Hedglyn being the variant spellings to have prevailed in the United States and Europe, respectively.

The surname Hedglen is derived from the Middle English personal name Hedglin, which in turn is derived from the word ‘hedige’, a term for a child of a hedgehog or a domesticated animal. The modern surname may have been adopted by people of either class origin; it is possible that the name Hedglin was given to a person who kept hedgehogs, which became a surname as the family name was hereditary.

Hedglen can also be identified as a toponymic surname, which denotes a place of residence. It is possible that the surname emerged as a result of relocation of an individual or family from a settlement called Headgle or Headglen. This is likely to be an old communal settlement that has since disappeared.

In short, the surname Hedglen is derived from the Middle English personal name Hedglin and variously forms of spelling and surnames of the same origin have since emerged from either a profession, or a toponymic origin.

Famous people with the name Hedglen

• Amy Hedglen: Actress and Writer
• Matt Hedglen: Singer and Songwriter
• Sarah Hedglen: Professional Golfer
• Mike Hedglen: Professional Baseball Player
• Erik Hedglen: Olympic Swimmer
• Abbie Hedglen: Basketball Player
• Steve Hedglen: Professional Chef and Food Writer
• Rob Hedglen: Professional Football Player
• Mike Hedglen: Professional Dancer
• Peter Hedglen: Jazz Musician
• Janis Hedglen: Opera Singer
• Philip Hedglen: Artist
• Laura Hedglen: Television Producer
• Martin Hedglen: Computer Scientist
• David Hedglen: Author
• Jeffrey Hedglen: Marketing Executive
• Mark Hedglen: Political Activist and Entrepreneur
• John Hedglen: Civil Rights Activist
• Frances Hedglen: Activist and Humanitarian
• Joan Hedglen: Environmental Activist

Other surnames

HedglanHedglandHedglin