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London and Middlesex / Re: Vipond, Vipont - Huguenots?
« on: Saturday 03 May 25 13:55 BST (UK) »
The Viponds were originally called de Veteripont, (sometimes spelt 'Vieuxpont' (of the Old Bridge) as others have commented. They arrived in England around the time of the Norman Conquest and were given lands in the North Pennine area originally. They stayed there for many generations, with descendants working in Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, London and Kendal amongst other areas. The name was gradually modified/corrupted from De Veteripont to Vipond and/or Vipont (originally pronounced Veepon which is the French pronunciation of Vipond). Branches of the family became Quaker and there are still Quaker Viponds in Cumberland and all over the world. I am descended from them, as well as from Huguenots, with my branch being called Massis (often now seen in England as the Anglicised form, Massey and even Mossey.