Surname Childress - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Threads of My Past: A Deep Dive into the History and Migration of the Childress Surname through iGENEA DNA Test

Embracing the opportunity to explore my ancestral roots through iGENEA's DNA testing kit has shed light on the historical journey of my surname, Childress. The genealogical exploration has provided insights into the depth, complexity, and migratory patterns associated with my surname, marrying science and history in one convenient package.

Y. Childress

Childress: What does the surname Childress mean?

The surname Childress has English origins and is derived from the Old English elements "cild", which means "child", and "ræst", indicating "bed" or "resting place". It was traditionally an occupational surname given to a person responsible for the lodging, fostering, or guardianship of children. Over time, it evolved into a hereditary surname. It can also be traced back to regions in England such as Surrey and Norfolk during the medieval period. Like many surnames, the spelling has evolved over time with variations including Childeres, Childres, Childecrist, and Childerhouse.

Childress: Where does the name Childress come from?

The last name Childress originated from medieval England and is derived from the Middle English term "childhreoes," meaning "children's guardian." The surname was often used for someone who worked as a schoolmaster or a nursemaid, servicing the children of the village.

Though it has English roots, the name eventually found its way to other countries as well, primarily through migration to the Americas. Today, Childress is common in the United States and some parts of the United Kingdom. According to U.S. Census data, it is particularly concentrated in the South, specifically in states like Texas, Virginia, and Tennessee. Despite its British origins, Childress is not a very common surname in the UK today, ranking as the 14,278th most common surname with an estimated 1591 people bearing the name. Globally, it doesn't reach high on the list of the most common surnames but holds significant historical and cultural value, particularly to English-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Childress

The surname Childress is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have derived from occupational name for a "child's servant," from Old English 'cild' meaning "child" and 'raedan' meaning "to take care of." It may have been originally given to or taken by someone who served as a caretaker of children or possibly an educator or teacher of children.

The spelling variants for the surname Childress are quite diverse due to phonetic translations, geographical distributions, and personal preference throughout history. Some of the common variants include Childres, Childer, Childerhouse, Childresson, and Chylderes. Lesser-seen variants might include Childdress, Childerss, Chylderess, and Chyldres.

Childers is another common form of the name, especially in the southern United States, and is sometimes used interchangeably with Childress. Other surnames that might share the same origin include Childs, Child, and Children, although these names could also have alternate origins away from the "child's servant" meaning.

As with all surname research, it's important to remember that spelling can vary wildly, especially in older records, and that same-sounding names don't always share the same origin.

Famous people with the name Childress

• George Childress: Best known as the author of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
• Ryan Jordan Childress: An American football coach and former player.
• Ann Childress: A psychiatrist known for her work in developmental disorders.
• Richard Childress: A former NASCAR driver who is now the team owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), one of the most successful teams in the series.
• Brandon Childress: A professional basketball player.
• Alex Childress: A retired professional American and Canadian football player.
• Michael Childress: A professional golfer.
• Alfred Childress: An Australian parliamentarian.
• Mark Childress: An American writer known for his novels that include "Crazy in Alabama".
• Victoria H. Childress: Renowned cake chef and decorator.
• Judy Childress: An inspirational speaker focusing on parents' education.
• DeLana Harvick: Born DeLana Childress, she is a former co-owner and manager of Kevin Harvick Incorporated, a NASCAR team.
• Kyle Childress: A minister and advocate for deep ecology and social justice.
• Wesley Childress: A known software designer.
• Jodie Childers(sometimes written as Childress): Country musician and songwriter.
• Ben Childress: A music producer and artist manager. Please note that the fame of these personalities may vary among groups due to the specificity of their fields.

Other surnames

ChildresChildrey