Comben - Name

This very rare and unusual name is found as Combin, Comben, Combine and appears to have the same origin and meaning as "Campden" i.e. "The Camp in the Valley" from Olde English pre 7th Century "Campa-denu". If this is so the the name is locational and probably originates in the West County where "Campedene" is recorded for Gloucester area in the Domesday Book of 1086. However to add confusion one Jean Cambon commanded a Huguenot Regiment at the Battle of the Boyne in 1689, and it is therefore possible that the name may have a Huguenot (French) origin. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Comben (Baptised). which was dated 1632, St. Margarets, Westminster. during the reign of King Charles I, the Martyr, 1625 - 1649. 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.