All names receive some form of transposition in history and Collingdon is no exception. Our research suggests that the early name was Goldington, Sir John de Goldington being knighted at the Battle of Calais in 1348. This name which was very prominent in the Middle Ages no longer exists and appears to have been replaced by Golding and Codington and possibly Collingden. This latter name, it is claimed dates back to Edward 1 (1272-1307) but if so, we have been unable to find a recording or location. The name means, the farm (tun) of the descendants (uig) of 'Coll' - a shortened English medieval form of Nicholas. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margaret Collingden which was dated C. 1553 Horley, in Surrey during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 Good Queen Bess 1558-1603 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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