Outline History of the Amsden Family - 2000.
First known use of name:-
Baptism of Ralphe Amsden, son of Thomas. Wing, Buckinghamshire.
10th Dec. 1547.
First known incidence in London:-
Marriage of William Amsden to Elizabeth Richardson at, St
Bartolphs, Bishopsgate. 17th Oct. 1583.
First known incidence in U.S.A.:-
Isacke Amsden mentioned in the inventory of the estate of:-
Nathaniel Sparhawk of Massachusetts. June 1647. For further
information on the Amsdens arriving the the Americas see
The American Connection
Origination of Name:-
Appears to stem from Ambrosden in
Oxfordshire. It is not of Dutch origin, as recent research in the
Dutch Archives has shown.
Research has shown a concentration of
Amsdens around the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Southern parts
of Warwickshire areas during the 16th and 17th centuries. Berkshire
during the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Amsden and Amsdon at one time appear to
have been synonymous - uncertain at this time when the complete
division took place, but they were certainly confused around 1800 in
Berkshire.
Coat of Arms attributed to
Amsden/Amsdon:-
Arms - Argent, a chevron between three
wings sinister, gules.
Crest - A Cross flory fitchee or, fleury
gules, between two wings proper
Searches have, however, been unable to confirm this or to locate
the origin.
Three present known UK branches. The heads
of these are as follows:-
1. John Amsden
(b.1753) a Chemist & Druggist of 65,
Wood St, London, E.C. Married Rebecca Coleman 18th May,1779 at St
Johns, Hackney, London.
Descendants remained in the London area until recent
years. Living in the Hoxton area where they were surgeons and doctors
and later moving further North to Edmonton and Enfield. One emigrated
to Canada, giving rise to an extended family there. In recent years
members of this branch have moved to Norfolk, Cumbria and Scotland.
2. William
Amsden (b.c1735) in London, later moving
to Tring. A Baptist and possibly a Draper by trade. His son, Thomas
was a Brewer & Straw Plait Dealer of Market St., Tring, Herts.
Known descendants moved to the London area, and later
to other areas.
The firm of Olney-Amsden trading in the City as Haberdashers
belong to this branch. (Olney-Amsden are no longer trading).
Other know descendants became Coal Merchants in Tring and later
moved to Yorkshire where they took up Farming, one of these has now
emigrated to Canada.
3. Richard
Amsden (b.?) A Toothbrush Maker of
London. His son William Richard was born 1852 at St.Pancras,
London.
Descendants remained in London until, at a later
date, one family moved to Warwickshire.
Only descendants known now live in Hertfordshire. There are no
known male descendendts in this line.
No actual connection between
these branches has yet been made. Difficulties have been experienced
because the two earlier branches (1 & 2) appear to have been
Baptists, and records of their births and parents have not come to
light.
A copy of "The History of the Amsden Family" published 1993 is
lodged with the
Genealogical Society in London and with The Church of LatterDay
Saints, Utah, USA.
It should be remembered by those consulting this publication that
it is now very much out of date insofar as the family trees are
concerned.