The surname Heddin originated in England during the medieval period. The name is believed to have derived from the Old English words "hed" meaning height or hill, and "dun" meaning a hill or down. This suggests that the name was likely used to identify someone who lived on or near a prominent hill or elevated area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Heddin surname can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appeared as "Hedindun," which was likely a reference to a specific place name where the family resided.

During the 13th century, the surname Heddin began to appear more frequently in historical records, particularly in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. One notable individual from this era was Sir William Heddin, a knight who fought alongside Edward I during the Scottish Wars of Independence in the late 13th century.

In the 14th century, the spelling of the surname evolved to its modern form of Heddin. During this time, the name was also associated with various place names, such as Heddinley and Heddinham, which were villages or settlements likely founded or inhabited by members of the Heddin family.

One of the most prominent figures with the Heddin surname was John Heddin, who lived in the 15th century and served as a member of the English Parliament during the reign of Henry VI. Another notable individual was Robert Heddin, a wealthy merchant from York who was recorded in the city's guild records in the late 16th century.

In the 17th century, the Heddin family had established a presence in various parts of England, including the counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire. One notable member of the family during this period was William Heddin, a Puritan minister who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s and played a significant role in the early religious life of the colony.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the Heddin surname continued to be found across England, with several individuals achieving notable success in various fields. Some examples include Thomas Heddin (1718-1789), a renowned architect who designed several prominent buildings in London, and Mary Heddin (1801-1876), a celebrated author and poet who published several acclaimed works during the Victorian era.