McCrudden

This name, with variant spellings (O') Rodden and Rudden, is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Irish Mac Rodain, a patronymic, from the personal name 'Rodan', a derivative of 'rod' spirited or lively, hence, 'mac' son of, plus 'Rodain' meaning 'spirited' or 'lively one'. The name McCrudden, with variant spellings Rodden and Rudden, are mainly found in the North of Ireland. They are popular names in County Donegal. In Cavan, the name Rodden takes the form Roden. On August 25th 1846, Mary McCrudden married Alexander McCoy in Tedavnet, Ballinode, County Monaghan. Alexander McCrudden was christened on July 2nd 1854 in Carnmoney, County Antrim. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jane McCrudden (marriage), which was dated November 20th 1845, during the reign of Queen Victoria, 'The Great White Queen', 1837-1901. 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.