Surname Quaid - Meaning and Origin

Quaid: What does the surname Quaid mean?

The last name Quaid is an Irish surname, likely derived from the Gaelic word "Cuadach", meaning "proud" or "regal". It was most widely used in the County Cork and County Limerick regions of Ireland.

The first documented use of the name was in 1565, in County Cork, where Hough O’Quaed was noted as a leading churchman. The Quaids came to prominence as soldiers in the 1640s during the Irish Confederate Wars, and the name was also associated with members of the medical profession.

The name Quaid is now widespread throughout Ireland, and it is also found in parts of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States, usually as a result of migrations from Cork and Limerick in search of economic opportunities.

The Quaid surname can also be found among descendants of the Norman invaders of Ireland. In this context, the name is a variation of "Walter".

Common characteristics associated with the surname Quaid include loyalty, intelligence, perseverance, and a strong sense of justice. People bearing this name are often considered honest, reliable, and dependable.

Quaid: Where does the name Quaid come from?

The last name Quaid is primarily associated with the Emerald Isle of Ireland. It is amongst the most common Irish surnames, and is derived from the Gaelic term ‘O’Cuad’, which means ‘descendant of the chieftain’. The Quaid name can be found across the entire length and breadth of Ireland, and especially in the southern and western counties of Cork, Kerry and Tipperary. Quaid is also quite commonly found in Northern Ireland, where it is primarily located around Belfast and its surrounding areas.

Interestingly, the Quaid name is actually one of the rare Irish surnames to have become established in the United States. With emigration being an integral part of Irish history, many Quaids have found their way to America over the years. Today, the last name Quaid can still be found in the United States, with significant concentrations particularly in California, New York, and Pennsylvania. The Quaid name has also become quite common in other parts of the English-speaking world, with the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia all having their fair share of Quaids.

Variations of the surname Quaid

The Quaid surname originated in Ireland and Scotland. Variations of the Quaid surname can be found in many different spellings, including: O'Quaid, Quaide, Quay, Quaye, Quayle, Quaile, Quail, Quaill, Quaile, Quaill, Quaille, Quall, Quaill, Quailz, Quailes, Quayles, Quads, Quayl, Quaidy, Quiad, and Quigg.

The Quaid surname has an Irish origin, and derives from the Gaelic “O Cadhain”, meaning “descendants of Cathán”. The spelling was most commonly anglicised as Quaid, but other variations like Quaide and Quayle were also present. In Scotland, the spelling of the surname was more commonly Quayle or Quail, while in Ireland it was more often Quaid or Quaill.

The Quaid surname is found mainly in the Irish counties of Cork and Kerry, where it is believed to have originated. However, the name is now found throughout the world in places such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Quaid surname is most associated with the Irish political force and activist, Mícheál Quaid, who is famous for his fight against British rule in Ireland. Other famous Quaids include actors Dennis and Randy Quaid.

Famous people with the name Quaid

• Dennis Quaid: An American actor known for his roles in films such as The Big Easy, Far from Heaven, and The Parent Trap.
• Randy Quaid: An American actor known for his roles in films such as National Lampoon’s Vacation and The Last Detail.
• Meg Ryan: An American actress and producer who was married to Dennis Quaid from 1991 to 2001.
• Jack Quaid: The son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, and an American actor known for Jumuni, The Hunger Games film series, and The Boys.
• Patrick Quaid: The brother of Dennis Quaid, an American actor, director, and writer.
• Evi Quaid: American actress and director, and the wife of Randy Quaid.
• Jerry Quaid: Dennis Quaid’s brother, an American actor known for his roles on television’s Dallas and Walker, Texas Ranger, and in films such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and The Shadow Riders.
• Michael Quaid: The brother of Dennis Quaid, an American actor and writer.
• Gregory Quaid: An American actor and producer, the brother of Randy Quaid.
• Mary Quaid: An American actress and the daughter of Randy Quaid and Evi Quaid.

Other surnames

Quain