Etymology of my Surname

[Hexdef101]

I've seen that as well. That said I do know that the syddon spelling was in use as of 1701 in Gwynnedd Pennsylvania. I think the family left Wales a long time ago. I can guarantee that my family left the UK in the 1600's

[ctbuchanan]

I found this: Siddon: This interesting surname with variant spellings Syddon, Sidden, Siddon etc., is of either English habitational or topographical origin. As no evidence can be found of a place called "Siddons" on maps today, it may be assumed that "Siddons" is one of the estimated seven to ten thousand villages and hamlets that have "disappeared", as a result of the dispersal of former inhabitants to make way for sheep pastures at the height of the wool trade in the 14th Century. The placename itself was probably composed of the old English elements "sid", broad, wide and "dun", hill. The name may also be a topographical name, describing "one who lived by a broad hill", from the same old English elements. In 1603 one William Syddon married Faith Burridge at St. James' church, Clerkenwell, London, while in 1621 one William Siddon was christened at St. Olaves, Silver Street, London. Sarah Siddons (1755 - 1831) was one of the foremost Shakespearean actresses of her time and her statue by Chantrey is in Westminster Abbey. Her son Henry (1774 - 1815) received encouragement from Sir Walter Scott and produced creditable plays. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Sidon, (marriage to Jone Aldrige), which was dated April 3rd 1564 at Burnham, Buckinghamshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603.

Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/siddon#ixzz43eFy4tO2

[Hexdef101]

because this has turned into a discussion of whether or not my name is siddon(syddon,syddyn) or Siddon (sidon,seddon) I must provide you with my counter-argument. Sorry if there are grammatical errors (in the US we haven't really spoken English in years). First from the site forebears (terrible, I certainly hope this is a pun) under the title
Siddons surname meaning & statistics we have the entry

Definition:

(Welsh.) From syddyn, a farm—a farmer.

http://forebears.co.uk/surnames/siddons

on google books we have a book titled, An etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names by William Arthur 1857
stating the same as the site above.
https://books.google.com/books?id=rV...syddyn&f=false

Also a list of welsh surnames listing same, located at ExpertGenealogy [
http://expertgenealogy.com/surnames.asp?s=Welsh
and AmericanLastnames listing same again http://www.americanlastnames.us/last...lsh/S/S-0.html

Whom should I believe, William Arthur, MA ,and several sites giving that same definition, All for free I might add.

Or the site you gave me.

Originally when I posted this thread I wasn't sure in fact that I had made the right conclusion as I had seen both versions of the story, and because I wanted to learn the opinions of actual welsh speakers on the subject , and possibly glean the proper pronunciation of the original Word. As usual I continued to do my own research and found the answer for myself, at least in regards to the etymology. I still hope to glean the proper pronunciation and perhaps learn a bit about my Fathers Families (even if they probably left Wales sometime after Llywelyn ap Gruffydd's Death and Daffyd ap Gruffydd's at the hands of Edward I in 1283. So in conclusion Please understand I am absolutely more interested in truth then historical fiction’s (even if it's a fiction that only myself might engage in), That Said I have my mothers Scottish blood as well so I will most certainly continue to Argue the point ad infinitum as long as anyone desires to pursue said argument. That said I am sure that no one really wants to start a argument over the little detail of someone's ancestry, and let this one lay.


So for any welsh speakers can I please get the proper welsh pronunciation of what I am currently assuming I have proven to be the etymology of my name (short of definitive evidence to the contrary). Also anything you care to say about the history of Wales is certainly welcome.

Mechal Syddyn Ap Joseff Ab Joseff (please correct my welsh if i got the patronymic Wrong I would have added Syddyn and Gwinnedd to make it say roughly "of the farm of gwennedd but sadly i couldn't figure it out.

I added the gwinnedd as that's where my last supposed welsh ancestors lived, I've never actually been there personally.

[Steve Ashton]

The only way to know for sure is to do your genealogy. And you cannot do a genealogy via google or wikipedia.

A genealogy is a paper chase. You start with your birth certificate. That gives you the names of your 2 parents. Perhaps where they were from or where they were born or married. You then go find their marriage license or their birth certificates. That will lead you to the next piece of paper. On and on, back and back one piece of paper at a time.

Only when you have an unbroken chain of documentation do you have a genealogy. And remember if you go back even 5 generations or 120 years (That is just the beginnings of the 20th century, you have 32 grandparents. You are descended from all of them. And some may surprise you.

You seem to have settled on a Welsh origination for your last name. That is commendable. But I'm sorry you still do not have a genealogy.