This is a medieval derivative occupational surname which derives from the Old French "Cordon" meaning a seller of Ribbon, or from "Cordoan" in effect a locational job description for a worker in fine kid leather, originally associated with the city of Cordova, in Spain. The word was a Norman introduction shortly after the 1066 Invasion, in England the name refers to a maker of shoes from Cordova leather as in Alan le Cordewaner, London 1273. The Coat of Arms is silver, on a black saltire between four demi-dragons, five gold bezants. One George Corden, the infant son of James Corden was christened on August 6th 1596 at St. Thomas the Apostle. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Randolf se Cordewan, which was dated circa 1100, the Surnames List for Devon, during the reign of King Henry 1, known as "The Administrator", 1100 - 1135. 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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