Show ContentsKidds History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Kidds Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Kidds

What does the name Kidds mean?

The Kidds surname comes from the Middle English word "kid(e)," which referred to a young goat. The name may have originally been a nickname for someone energetically kid-like, or it may have occupational for a herder of goats.

Early Origins of the Kidds family

The surname Kidds was first found in Suffolk and Northamptonshire, where a William, Ralp Kide was on record in 12th century Pipe Rolls for those counties. An Alan Kydeman was also on record in Norfolk, in the 1275 Rotuli Hundredorum. The Hundredorum Rolls also lists Reginald Kidd. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had three entries: Ricardus Kyd; Thomas Kydde; and Willelmus Kydde. 1

The Pipe Rolls listed William Kide in Suffolk in 1181 and Ralph Kide in Northumberland in 1198. 2

Early History of the Kidds family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kidds research. Another 52 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1430, 1450, 1453, 1601, 1602, 1735, 1775, 1786, 1789, 1851 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kidds History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kidds Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Kidds include Kidd, Kydd, Kidman, Kideman, Kidde, Kydeman and others.

Early Notables of the Kidds family

William Kyd (fl. 1430-1453), a 15th-century English pirate active in South West England from the 1430s until the 1450s. In November 1453, in perhaps the biggest prize of his career, he captured The Marie of St. Andrews. He and others were virtually immune from the law for over two decades by the protection of corrupt custom officials. John Kidd (1775-1851), physician, born in London 10 Sept. 1775, was son of John Kidd, captain of...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kidds Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kidds family to Ireland

Some of the Kidds family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kidds migration to Australia +

Kidds Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 18th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/champion

Houseofnames.com on Facebook