Recorded as Caddan, Caden, Cadden, Caddens, Caddin, Cadding, and others, this is a surname of Olde English and Scottish pre 7th century origins. It derives from the personal name of ancient times 'Cada' of which the literal meaning is believed to be 'rounded'. As such it may originally have applied to a person who lived by a rounded hill or promentary, or a burial barrow. It may even have applied to a person who was himself 'rounded' or again given the robust humour of those long off times, the complete reverse! The name itself is probably tribal and refers to the 'Cada people' (-ing). It is also possible that it is locational from a place called Cadden or similar spelling and there is Caddon Water near Selkirk in Scotland, which could have provided the name holders. As a locational name it probably originates from Cada plus 'denu', meaning a valley or 'dun', a hill. The surname is well recorded in the surviving registers of the city of London. A good example is that of William Cadden abd his wife Elizabeth who were christening witnesses to their daughter Marye, at St Helens Bishopgate, on August 20th 1598.

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