Letters

My maiden name was HOGBIN, which is peculiar to Kent and fairly common there in both the -EN and -IN spellings. The experts have not found a convincing explanation for the origin of the name, suggesting it might have come from some deformity, such as 'HUCKBONE' or 'HOGPEN'.

However, I have always thought it might have its origin in some old German name, as Jutes etc. had settled in Kent in the past, especially in the North-Eastern corner where the Hogbins seem to have originated. I was particularly interested in the article on the 'terpen' in Holland and especially so when I saw the village of HOOGEBEINTORUM mentioned.

Lose the ending and a fair approximation to HOGBIN is left. I wonder if I have hit on the answer to the question of the origin of the name? The name of the village also may have a meaning in the Dutch language.

Rosemary Stanley nee HOGBIN