Kydder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Kydder is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the Dutch personal name Kygeir which meant people's spear. 1 The surname Kydder was adopted in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Kydder family

The surname Kydder was first found in Sussex where another reference claims that name is an occupational name for "one who travels with goods for sale. Most if not all the Kidders of England spring from Maresfield, co. Sussex, where they may be traced back as far as the reign of Edward II." 2

Other early rolls include: Ailric (le) Chidere in the Pipe Rolls for Warwickshire in 1190; Roger Kidere in the Feet of Fines for Lancashire in 1233; Thomas le Kidere in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1301; and Richard le Kedere in Devon in 1310. 1

In Norfolk, early records there show Richard Kideman held lands in 1221 and later Alan Kydeman was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. 3

Early History of the Kydder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kydder research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1633, 1665, 1691, 1703 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Kydder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kydder Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Kydder has been spelled many different ways, including Kidder, Kidere, Kidman and others.

Early Notables of the Kydder family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Kidder (1633-1703), an English Anglican churchman killed in the Great Storm of 1703, Bishop of Bath and Wells (from 1691 to his death.) He was born at East Grinstead in Sussex in 1633. His father belonged to the class of yeomen or...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kydder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kydder family to Ireland

Some of the Kydder family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kydder family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Kydders to arrive in North America: John Kidder, who settled in Boston in 1633; James Kidder settled in Cambridge in 1633; Benjamin Kidder settled in Baltimore in 1775; along with William.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)