Surname Kidde - Meaning and Origin

Kidde: What does the surname Kidde mean?

The surname Kidde is possibly of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Middle English term 'kid(e)', meaning 'kid', 'a young goat'. It was often used as a nickname for someone who was frisky or frolicsome, displaying characteristics associated with a young goat's behavior. Alternately, it may have been occupational, denoting someone who herded goats. As surnames evolved, people were often identified based on their occupations, physical characteristics, or notable personality traits, and Kidde could have originated from any of these. Another theory suggests that Kidde could be a metronymic surname deriving from the female personal name 'Kide'. Like many ancient names, there may be different origins in different regions and 'Kidde' may also have roots in other cultures or languages. It's important to remember that spelling variations were common before the standardization of English language as literacy levels were low and names were recorded in various documents based on how they sounded.

Kidde: Where does the name Kidde come from?

The surname Kidde is believed to originate from the Old English pre 7th Century word "cuth", meaning "fame", plus the suffix "-kyn", denoting kin or family. It may have also evolved from an Old Norse nickname or personal name, "Kiddi," which means "the kid" or "young goat." Additionally, it might derive from an occupational name for a seller of furs, from the Middle English "kidde," meaning a young goat.

Over the centuries, the name was subject to many spelling variations, including Kid, Kidd, Kidde, Kyd, and others. The earliest known reference to this surname was John Kyd, recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. The name spread throughout the British Isles, and members of the Kidde family can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and England.

Today, however, the surname Kidde is not particularly common in any specific region. It is mostly found among descendants of British diaspora in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A well-known bearer of this surname is Walter Kidde, an American inventor and manufacturer, founder of the Kidde company, a global provider of fire and safety products.

Variations of the surname Kidde

The surname Kidde has several variants and is thought to have origins in different cultures and languages. One of its oldest forms is the Anglo-Saxon "Cutha," which was often morphed into "Cudde." This then led to the variations "Cud," "Cudd" and "Kidde."

In Germany, the surname could have come from "Kidd," a diminutive form of the personal name "Kidde." This name spread across Europe and produced varieties including: Kiddo, Kidman, Kyd, Kydd, and perhaps surprisingly, Kiddell. Some of these forms entered English through the Norman conquest, leading to the modern surname Kidd.

It is also possible that the name Kidde derived from the Old Norse personal name "Kjartan," anglicised into such forms as "Churton," "Cherton," "Kiddert," and so on.

This name may have also had origins in the Old English word 'cydda', referring to a kid or young goat, predominantly used in the south of England. Perhaps also a metonymic occupational name for a goatherd, from the Middle English "kide", a kid (Old Norse "kið").

So the different variants and spellings for the surname Kidde can include Kidd, Kydd, Kyd, Kiddell, Kidman, Cudd, Kide, Cud, and Kidder, among others.

Famous people with the name Kidde

• Bill Kidde: Fire protection engineer, engineer emeritus with the National Fire Protection Association.
• Jim Kidde: NFL player who played for the San Francisco 49ers.
• Eric Kidde: Former CEO and president of Kidde Technologies, Inc.
• Markus Kidde: Professional MMA fighter competing in the lightweight division.
• Stacy Kidde: Business leader, investor, entrepreneur, and humanitarian.
• Sammy Kidde: Reggae singer and producer from Jamaica.
• James Kidde: Veteran actor best known for his work in ‘Hell on Wheels’.
• Joe Kidde: Professional hockey player with the Los Angeles Kings.
• Mary Kidde: International fashion designer who has dressed celebrities and royalty.
• Austin Kidde: Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.

Other surnames

KiddKiddellKiddieKiddoo