There are approximately 665 people named Harnden in the UK. Approximately 11 out of every million people in the UK are named Harnden.
Our Harnden family appears to come from the area surrounding Marden, between Maidstone and the Weald.
In 1550, the parish of Smarden paid John Harneden three shillings for "takinge doune of the altare stone, and makinge up of the church wall." He received another 2s 2p in 1559 “for defacing of certain places” in the church.
Agas Day of Benenden's will, from 1560, states that 6d (each) is to be given to Agas Harnden the daughter of John Harnden, And Agas Harnden the daughter of Mathew Harnden.
Several Harndens from Marden were fined at Kent's Quarterly Session at Maidstone, 28th September, 1602: "Richard Harnden of Marden to keep the peace towards William Cordingly, in £10. Sureties, Joseph Mayhow and Christopher Harnden of the same, both in £5.Christopher Harnden of Marden to keep the peace towards William Cordingly. Sureties, Richard Harnden and Joseph Mayewede of the same."
Two Harnden's are listed as home owners in the hearth tax of 1664: the widow Mary Harnden's house, in Headcorn, had three chimneys.
Nathaniel Harnden's, in Pattenden borough, Goudhurst, had two.