Oxenham

Oxenham
This interesting and unusual surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from Oxenham (Manor), near South Tawton in Devonshire. The component elements of the placename are the Olde English pre 7th Century "oxan", oxen, with "ham(m)", translating variously as "meadow", especially a flat low-lying meadow on a stream, also, "an enclosed plot, a close". Locational surnames were originally given to local landowners, and the lord of the manor, and especially to those former inhabitants who left heir place of origin to live and work in another area. The surname, with the variant spelling Oxnam, is particularly well recorded in Church Registers of Cornwall and Devonshire from the mid 16th Century. On October 7th 1545, Anna, daughter of Johis Oxnam, was christened at Landulph, Cornwall, and on April 19th 1562, William Oxenham and Mablle Halse were married in South Tawton, Devonshire. Interesting bearers of the name were John Oxenham, sea-captain, who was with Sir Francis Drake's expedition to Central America in 1572; and Henry Nutcombe Oxenham, M.A., Oxford, 1854, who subsequently held a mastership at the Oratory School, Birmingham. A Coat of Arms granted to the Oxenham family of Oxenham, South Tawton, is a red shield with a fess between three gold mullets. The mullet or five pointed star denoted honour and achievement in the service of the state in ancient times. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richarde Oxenham, which was dated February 16th 1546, witness at a christening in South Tawton, Devonshire, during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Bluff King Hal", 1509 - 1547. 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.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Oxenham — is a surname, and may refer to Elsie J. Oxenham, British author Henry Nutcombe Oxenham, British church historian John Oxenham, British poet and journalist Ron Oxenham, Australian cricketer William Oxenham, British soldier See also Oxenford… …   Wikipedia

  • Oxenham, Henry Nutcombe — • English controversialist and poet (1829 1888) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Oxenham Non-Connectors — Dustjacket from Dorothy s Dilemma Non Connectors are titles by Elsie J. Oxenham that do not connect into her main Abbey Series. There are four of these series, they have no connections with each other, or with any of EJO s other books. They are… …   Wikipedia

  • Oxenham, John —    Novelist. God s Prisoner (1898), John of Gerisau (1902), White Fire (1905), Giant Circumstance, The Long Road, etc …   Short biographical dictionary of English literature

  • Elsie J. Oxenham — Infobox Writer name = Elsie Jeanette Dunkerley caption = Elsie J. Oxenham in about 1910 pseudonym = Elsie J. Oxenham birthname = Elsie Jeanette Dunkerley birthdate = birth date|1880|11|25|df=y birthplace = Southport, Lancashire deathdate = death… …   Wikipedia

  • John Oxenham — Infobox Writer name = William Arthur Dunkerley imagesize = 200px caption = John Oxenham in about 1910 pseudonym = John Oxenham, Julian Ross birthdate = birth date|1852|11|12|mf=y birthplace = Manchester, England deathdate = death date and… …   Wikipedia

  • John Oxenham — fut en 1575 le premier aventurier non espagnol franchir l isthme de Panama à pied, en escaladant la cordillère cotière, pour passer à l océan Pacifique, alors appelé Mers du Sud. Parti d Acla dans le Darién, il descendit le Rio Chuchunaque, qui… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Henry Nutcombe Oxenham —     Henry Nutcombe Oxenham     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Henry Nutcombe Oxenham     An English controversialist and poet, born at Harrow, 15 Nov., 1829; died at Kensington, 23 March, 1888; was the son of the Rev. William Oxenham, second master of …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Henry Nutcombe Oxenham — (15 November 1829 23 March 1888) was an English ecclesiologist and author. He was originally ordained in the Church of England, but later converted to the Roman Catholic Church.He was born at Harrow School, where his father was a master. From… …   Wikipedia

  • William Oxenham — VC (July 1823 December 29, 1875) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.DetailsHe was about 32 years old …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”