Denham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Denham

What does the name Denham mean?

Though hidden in the annals of history, the chronicles of Scotland reveal the early records of the Norman surname Denham which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven within the colorful plaid of Scottish history and is an intrinsic part of the heritage of Scotland.

Early Origins of the Denham family

The surname Denham was first found in Denholm, a small village located between Jedburgh and Hawick in the Scottish Borders. 1

As early as the 16th century, the hamlet was named Denum and was frequently plundered and burnt during English raids of that time. There are three parishes named Denham in England where the local is derived from the Old English word “denu” + “ham” meaning “homestead or village in a valley.” 2

In Buckinghamshire, Denham is today a village and civil parish in the union of Eton and comprises 3780 acres. It was listed as Deneham in 1066 and later as Daneham in the Domesday Book 3.

Denham, Suffolk is near Bury St Edmunds and was listed as Denham in 1086. There is another Denham in Suffolk which lies near Eye and in this latter case, it was spelt Denham in 1086. Conjecturally, the family was descended from W. Hurrant, a Norman noble, who was granted the lands of Denham by William the Conqueror, and erected Denham Castle, and today the earthworks of the moat and bailey still remain.