Chord History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Chord

What does the name Chord mean?

The name Chord was first used centuries ago in the region that was once the Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. It was a name for a worker in brass. The name Chord is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "ceard", which refers to a craftsman, a traveling tinker who repaired pots and kettles, and a worker in brass. The family is believed to have made many of the Highland plaid brooches of brass.

Early Origins of the Chord family

The surname Chord was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Chord family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chord research. Another 196 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1275 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Chord History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chord Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Chord has been spelled Caird, Kaird, Kerd, Keard, Ceard, Kerde, McIncaird, McKincaird, Kincaird and many more.

Early Notables of the Chord family

More information is included under the topic Early Chord Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chord family to Ireland

Some of the Chord 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.

Chord migration to Canada +

These settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Chord were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Chord Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Francois Chord, who landed in Canada in 1632-1760

Contemporary Notables of the name Chord (post 1700) +

Chord Overstreet (b. 1989), American actor, singer and musician, best known for his role on the television series Glee