The Kidman 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 Kidman family
The surname Kidman 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Kidman family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kidman research.
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1601, 1602, 1735, 1645, 1701 and are included under the topic Early Kidman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Kidman Spelling Variations
Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of
spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to
England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Kidd, Kydd, Kidman, Kideman, Kidde, Kydeman and others.
Early Notables of the Kidman family (pre 1700)
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kidman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Kidman family to Ireland
Some of the Kidman family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Kidman family to the New World and Oceana
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Kidman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Samuel John Kidman, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Buckinghamshire" in 1839 [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Buckinghamshire 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Buckinghamshire.htm - Samuel John Kidman, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "D'Auvergne" in 1839 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) D'AUVERGNE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839D'Auvergne.htm - Caroline Kidman, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "D'Auvergne" in 1839 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) D'AUVERGNE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839D'Auvergne.htm - Samuel George Kidman, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "D'Auvergne" in 1839 [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) D'AUVERGNE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839D'Auvergne.htm - William Kidman, aged 30, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Henry Moore"
Kidman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
- William Kidman, aged 35, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hannibal" in 1875
- Isabella Kidman, aged 33, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hannibal" in 1875
Contemporary Notables of the name Kidman (post 1700)
- Nicole Mary Kidman (b. 1967), Academy Award-winning Hawaiian-born Australian actress, named Companion of the Order of Australia in 2006
- Sir Sidney Kidman (1857-1935), Australian cattleman, who at one time was the largest landowner in the British Empire
- Jens Kidman (b. 1966), Swedish musician and vocalist
- F Iona Kidman DNZM, OBE (b. 1940), New Zealand novelist, poet and scriptwriter
- Antonia Kidman (b. 1970), Australian journalist and the younger sister of actress Nicole Kidman