Dryden

Dryden Meanings & Origins

Commonly accepted meaning and origin

English: habitational name from a lost or unidentified place, probably in Cumbria or Northumberland, where the name is still common, and perhaps named from Old English dr¯ge ‘dry’ + denu ‘valley’.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-508137-4

Welsh meaning and origin

From the Welsh Drwydwn, broken nose. According to Evans, Jonreth, surnamed Drwydwn, the father of Llywelyn, was the eldest son of Owain Groynedd, but was not suffered to enjoy his right on account of that blemish.

Source: An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import; Arthur, William, M.A.; New York, NY: Sheldon, Blake, Bleeker & CO., 1857.