The name Kid was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Kid family lived in Angus. "The name, however, is more probably a diminutive of Christopher." [1]
The surname Kid was first found in Dundee and Arbroath where the name was an old Angus surname. "The name, however, is more probably a diminutive of Christopher. Robertus Kyd de Dunde is mentioned in 1357. Gilchrist Kide who held land near river Nethan, 1180-1203." [1]
William Kidd, better known as Captain William Kidd or simply Captain Kidd (c.1654-1701) was the infamous Scottish pirate who was tried and executed. Born in Dundee, he lost his father Captain John Kyd to the sea and the family was supported by a local society. Many believe that he left buried treasure and this led to many novels including Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kid research. Another 238 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1473, 1450, 1470, 1492, 1520, 1530, 1563, 1571, 1430, 1453, 1430, 1450, 1557, 1595, 1645, 1701, 1761, 1834, 1761, 1784 and are included under the topic Early Kid History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Surnames that evolved in Scotland in the Middle Ages often appear under many spelling variations. These are due to the practice of spelling according to sound in the era before dictionaries had standardized the English language. Kid has appeared as Kidd, Kydd, Kyd, Kid and others.
Notable amongst the family at this time was Benjamin Kidd, Scottish Author; William Kyd (fl. 1430-1453), a 15th century English pirate active in Southwest England from the 1430s until the...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kid Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Kid family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 206 words (15 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The North American colonies beckoned, with their ample land and opportunity as their freedom from the persecution suffered by so many Clan families back home. Many Scots even fought against England in the American War of Independence to gain this freedom. Recently, clan societies have allowed the ancestors of these brave Scottish settlers to rediscover their familial roots. Among them:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: