Selden

Selden is an ancient British surname with English origins. It is derived from the Old English personal name Sæwel, meaning 'sea stream'. The surname Selden is of locational origin, denoting a person hailing from one of the various places named Seldon or Selden in England. These place names themselves are derived from the Old English sealt meaning 'salt' and denu meaning 'valley', therefore indicating someone living near a valley where salt was produced.

The name Selden is most commonly found in the southern regions of England, particularly in counties such as Kent, Sussex, and Essex. Over the centuries, the surname has spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond due to migration and emigration.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Selden include the renowned 17th-century jurist and legal scholar John Selden. His works on English legal history and constitutional law have left a lasting impact on the field of law.

Today, the surname Selden continues to be borne by families across the UK and internationally, each carrying their own unique history and traditions associated with the name.

There are approximately 170 people named Selden in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around three in a million people in Britain are named Selden.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Adrian
  • Andrew
  • Carl
  • Christopher
  • Daniel
  • David
  • Derek
  • John
  • Mark
  • Paul
  • William

Female

  • Astra
  • Claire
  • Deborah
  • Helen
  • Jacqueline
  • Jane
  • Jennifer
  • Natasha
  • Pamela
  • Sheila
  • Shirin
  • Siobhan
  • Tanya
  • Valerie

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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