Surname Childe - Meaning and Origin
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Childe: What does the surname Childe mean?
The last name Childe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English term "Cild," which means child, boy, or youth. This surname was usually bestowed as a nickname to a young man or possibly someone who exhibited childlike characteristics. It could have also been used to identify the younger of two bearers of the same personal name, similar to how "Junior," or "II" is used today. Childe is one of the many family names to have originated from the habit of using nicknames, which were often derived from personal characteristics or traits of the bearer. Later, it became associated with the ranks of nobility, referring to a youth of gentle birth. The most famous bearer of this surname is perhaps Sir John Childe (1619–1674), an English politician. Hence, the surname Childe has both occupational and patronymic origins.
Order DNA origin analysisChilde: Where does the name Childe come from?
The surname Childe originated from the Old English term "cild," which means "child." It was typically used in medieval times as a nickname for someone who was childlike or for the youngest son of a family. It may also have been used to denote someone who was a knight or a child of a noble family, a usage derived from the Middle English term "child" which referred to a young nobleman or a knight in training.
In some instances, the surname could have been evolved from the name of a place, Childe Okeford in Dorset, England. Families often adopted the name of a place as their surname after they moved from that place.
Today, the surname Childe is still most common in England, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the Midlands. It can also be found in lesser numbers in other countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, mostly due to the British diaspora.
Variations of the surname Childe
The surname Childe has a rich and complex history, originating from English heritage with an Old English background. Some of its variant spellings include Child, Childs, Cild, Childe, and Cildes. It could also be a localized variant of implicative names that denote a "family of a child", such as the names "Childhouse" or "Childerhouse" found in the U.K.
Additionally, this surname is frequently used as an ending component in other surnames, such as Archilde and Berthilde, indicating a link to German origins as well.
The Child family has many branches in Wales, under the Welsh spelling 'Chyld'. Other regional modifications of the name include Scottish and Irish forms such as "Chylde" or "Cheld".
In some places, the name may have been altered to match the phonetic spelling, resulting in names like 'Childall' or 'Cheeld'.
It is important to note that the modern spelling variants and surnames of the same origin for the surname vary depending on the region and specific family history. Apparently, the most commonly used current variations are Child and Childs.
Famous people with the name Childe
- Eyre Evans Childe was a 19th century British author popular for his novels and travel literature.
- Sir (Hugo) Meynell Hugo Childe, 12th Baronet was a British Army officer who served during World War I and World War II.
- Julia Childe was a 19th century opera singer in Britain.
- Harold Childe was a renowned pianist of the 20th century.
- Percy Grainger (birth name: George Percy Grainger) was an Australian-born composer who also used the pseudonym James Childe.
- Peter Roberts Childe is a notable archaeologist and academic, recognized for his work on the insights of prehistoric societies. Please note that the name 'Childe' is less common and that some of these people may not be globally recognized.