Surname Child - Meaning and Origin

Child: What does the surname Child mean?

The surname Child or Childs is of Old English origin, deriving from the term 'cild', which stands for a young unmarried man, servant or a page. It was a term of status generally used for a young nobleman who served another nobleman or overseer. The name essentially represented the occupation or status of an individual in medieval society. The use of 'Child' as a surname dates back to the 12th century and it first appeared in Worcestershire, England. Over time, the name may have also been adopted by those who played the part of a child in a medieval or mystery play. Notably, in medieval writings, the term 'child' did not signify a minor as it does in contemporary usage. Instead, it referred to a young man of knightly rank or a person in religious orders. The surname has various spelling forms including Childs, Childe, Childes, and Childe. Renowned individuals with this surname include Lydia Maria Child, an American abolitionist and women's rights activist, and Francis James Child, a scholar of English literature and folklore.

Child: Where does the name Child come from?

The last name Child is of English origin and is believed to be related to status or occupation, literally meaning 'child', and originally possibly used for a young man, or perhaps a servant. From the middles ages, it was used as a pet form of the given name "Childric," composed of Old English pre 7th Century elements "cild," meaning child, and "ric," meaning power. The surname Child dates back to the late 12th Century in England and variations for the name Child can be found as Childe, Childs, Chiles, and others.

Notably, the name has been associated with the eminent Child's Bank, which was established by Sir Francis Child in London in the late 17th Century. This probably contributed to the name's spread across the British Isles. Today, while individuals carrying the surname can be found in many English-speaking countries, it remains most common in England. It is also prevalent in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, understand that precisely mapping the geographical prevalence of a surname can be challenging due to global migration patterns.

Variations of the surname Child

The surname Child is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the Old English term 'cild', used to signify a young man, or a servant. It was also a term of endearment, similar to today's usage of terms 'kid' or 'child'. Over time, different spelling variations of this surname have evolved due to changes in language, dialect, or simply written errors. Variants of the surname Child include Childe, Childs, Chyld, Chylde, Childes, and Chields.

Additionally, it's important to note that these variations can also be seen in different regions or within different families, just like surnames in many other cultures. Despite the different spellings, all variants trace back to the same origins and underlying meaning. The surnames Childerhouse and Childerson can also be linked back to the original surname Child, although these are thought to be patronymic in nature, meaning they were formed by adding 'son' or 'house' (an old English term indicating 'family of') to the end of 'Child'.

Famous people with the name Child

• Julia Child: An renowned chef, author, and television personality. She is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking".
• Lee Child: A popular British author, known for his thriller series featuring the character Jack Reacher.
• Lydia Maria Child: An American abolitionist, women's rights activist, educator and author in the 19th century.
• Susannah Child: An English author who wrote many cookbooks in the 18th century.
• Francis James Child: Noted 19th century American scholar and educator, most known for his comprehensive collection of English and Scottish ballads now known as the Child Ballads.
• Richard Washburn Child: An American author and diplomat, who served as ambassador to Italy during the Harding and Coolidge administrations.
• Kelly Child: A competitive figure skater from the United States who competed in pairs skating events.
• Lincoln Child: An American author of techno-thriller and horror novels, often collaborating with fellow writer Douglas Preston.
• Adrian Child: A well-known theologian and former Director of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service in the UK.
• James Warren Child: An American politician and judge in Minnesota.
• Sara Child: A 19th-century Danish painter who specialized in painting genre scenes of motherhood.

Other surnames

ChilcoteChildeChildearsChildericChildersChildresChildressChildreyChildsChileChilenskiChilesChilinskyChiltonChilverChilvers