Dryden is an English surname which derives from the Welsh word drwydwn, meaning a 'broken nose'. For other uses, including fictional names, see Dryden (disambiguation). Notable people with the surname include: John Dryden John Dryden (1631–1700), English poet John C. Dryden (1893–1952), politician John Dryden (footballer), New Zealand international football (soccer) player John Dryden (Ontario politician) (1840–1909), farmer and politician John Dryden (Kuser) (1897–1964), New Jersey politician John F. Dryden (1839–1911), businessman Other people named Dryden Alice Dryden, English photographer and historian Charles Dryden (1860–1931), American baseball writer and humorist Charles Dryden (disambiguation), several people Dan Dryden, American politician Dave Dryden, retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender David Owen Dryden, San Diego builder-architect Helen Dryden, American artist and designer Hugh Latimer Dryden, NASA Deputy Director Jim Dryden, New Zealand wrestler Ken Dryden, Canadian hockey player and politician Konrad Dryden (born 1963), American writer on Italian opera, descendant of John Dryden Murray Dryden, Canadian philanthropist Nathaniel Dryden (1849–1924), American architect Nicole Dryden, two-time Olympic swimmer from Canada Richard Dryden, English former professional footballer and former manager of Worcester City F.C. Spencer Dryden, American musician who was best known as the drummer for Jefferson Airplane, New Riders of the Purple Sage and The Dinosaurs Wheeler Dryden, English actor and film director, father of rock musician Spencer Dryden (above), and half brother of Charlie Chaplin References See also Dryden baronets Surnames from nicknames