Dench

Dench
This interesting and unusual name is of early medieval English origin, and is an ethnic surname given in the first instance to someone from Denmark. The name derives from the Middle English term 'dench, densch', Danish, a development of the Old English pre 7th Century word 'denisc'. It is thought that the Danes were probably originally named from an Old Germanic word similar to the Old English 'denu', valley, referring to the low-lying territory where they lived. The comparatively early recordings of the name in England reflect the fact that there were many Danes in medieval England, both recent immigrants and descendants of the first Danes to settle in what became 'the Danelaw' region, a large area of northern, central and eastern Anglo-Saxon Engand. One William Dench was an early emigrant to the New World, leaving London on The 'Alexander' in May 1635, bound for the Barbados colonies. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Dench, which was dated 1327, The Worcestershire Subsidy Rolls, during the reign of King Edward 111, 'The Father of the Navy', 1327-1377. 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.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • Dench — is an English surname which may refer to: Judi Dench (born 1934), English actress Michelle Dench, Australian sportswoman David Dench (born 1951), former Australian rules footballer, father of Michelle Dench Ian Dench (born 1964), British musician …   Wikipedia

  • Dench — [dench] Dame Judi (1934 ), English actress; full name Judith Olivia Dench. She appeared in numerous theatrical, movie, and television productions. Her movies include A Handful of Dust (1987), Mrs. Brown, (1997), Shakespeare in Love (Academy Award …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dench — Judi Dench bei den BAFTAs 2007 Dame Judith „Judi“ Olivia Dench, CH, DBE (* 9. Dezember 1934 in York, North Yorkshire, England) ist eine britische Theater und …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • dench — A person who acts like a tosser, acts studidly. Stop acting like a dench …   Dictionary of american slang

  • dench — A person who acts like a tosser, acts studidly. Stop acting like a dench …   Dictionary of american slang

  • Dench — /dɛntʃ/ (say dench) noun Dame Judith Olivia (Judi), born 1934, English stage, film and television actor …  

  • Dench, Judi — ▪ 1999       In January 1998 British actress Judi Dench lit up London s West End in David Hare s play Amy s View, in which she portrayed an actress who over a period of overwhelming loss never loses her passion for the theatre. The part, which… …   Universalium

  • Dench, Dame Judi — ▪ British actress original name in full  Judith Olivia Dench  born Dec. 9, 1934, York, North Yorkshire, England    British actress known for her numerous and varied stage roles, her work in television, and her supporting parts in a variety of… …   Universalium

  • Dench — (1934– ) an English actor who has played many leading roles in the plays of Shakespeare, especially with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has also appeared in several television series and films, including A Room with a View (1986), Mrs Brown… …   Universalium

  • Dench — noun of Danish origin …   Wiktionary

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