Surname Tidy - Meaning and Origin
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Tidy: What does the surname Tidy mean?
The last name Tidy is thought to have originated in England. It is an occupational surname, which means it is derived from an individual's job or profession. In this case, the name is thought to have originated from the Middle English word "tid", which means to look after or tend. This is likely due to the fact that many with the last name 'Tidy' held positions of maintenance and service.
Some bearers of the last name Tidy, however, have chosen the name to represent the neat characteristics of a person. This interpretation is based on the idea that someone is naturally 'tidy', meaning they keep things orderly and in good condition. As such, people with this last name tend to be organized, thorough, and pay great attention to detail.
It is also possible that the surname Tidy is related to the French 'Tidi', meaning an area of low-lying land by a river or stream. This alternative interpretation is derived from Ivernian sources, suggesting that some ancestors may have been associated with these areas in the past.
Whatever its origin, the last name Tidy carries strong undertones of responsibility and order, making it a well-respected name for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisTidy: Where does the name Tidy come from?
The last name Tidy is most commonly found in England and Wales, according to a 2016 study by the U.K. based Office of National Statistics. In England, Tidy is ranked 21,550th in the most common names with 695 people sharing this surname. In Wales, Tidy is the 15,853rd most common last name, with 404 people sharing this last name. There is also a small, yet significant, presence of this name in Ireland.
Outside of the U.K., the surname Tidy has spread to other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, the Tidy last name can be found in all states, although its prevalence is lowest in the states of Hawaii, Alaska, and the Dakotas. Canada also has a considerable presence of the surname Tidy in all provinces. The Tidy family name is also still found in the Commonwealth countries of Australia and New Zealand.
Overall, the last name Tidy is scattered throughout the world, with a strong presence in areas of the UK as well as parts of Canada, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Tidy
The surname Tidy is thought to have originated in England, most likely in the area around Devon and Cornwall. The original spelling of the name may have been Tydy, Tudy, or Thidy. Variations of the name include Tiede, Tidie, Tadde, Tade, Tady, Taid, Taide, Taidy, and Tayd.
There are also a number of Dutch variants of Tidy such as Thijssen, Thijsen, Thij, and Tiessen. These are thought to have originated from a contraction of the personal name Mathijs, which is a variation of the German name Matthias. It is believed that the Dutch variant of the name began to appear in the 16th century.
Tiedemann is another variation of the same origin. It is believed to have first appeared in the area of Schleswig-Holstein in the northern part of Germany. This version is thought to mean something along the lines of 'strong man' or 'powerful man.'
Finally, there is also a Welsh surname variant for Tidy, which is Tydd. This is thought to have originated from a corruption of the phrase 'Tudor'. It is believed that this surname first appeared in Denbighshire in northern Wales.
Overall, the surname Tidy has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin.
Famous people with the name Tidy
- Humphrey Tidy: (b.1917) an English composer and musician primarily known for being part of the British groove trio the Ted Heath Band.
- Edward Tidy: (b.1841) an English entomologist specializing in the study of lepidopteran insects such as butterflies and moths.
- Vere Tidy: (1875: 1917) British author and poet noted for his romantic fiction.
- Mark Tidy: British actor and playwright, best known for his roles in such films as The Man With the Golden Gun and The Ladykillers.
- Alison Tidy: British artist working with a variety of media from paint to sculpture.
- David Tidy: Britain's leading specialist in retail industrial design and sustainability who has designed for many of the largest retailers.
- Gaskin Tidy: (d.1893) an English inventor known for his contributions to early electricity and power supply systems.
- Cathy Tidy: international dressmaker, specialised in couture Design clothing in the UK.
- Arthur Tidy: (1821: 1884) British tea-master and tea-merchant who popularised the afternoon tea ceremony.
- John Tidy: English army officer with the 52nd Regiment of Foot and later lieutenant-colonel in the local militia, as well as a Canadian businessman and politician.