Kord History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Kord

What does the name Kord mean?

The name Kord is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a blacksmith or tin-worker. The surname is derived from the Old French word carde, which means a teasel-head or wool-comb, which both relate to the materials a blacksmith and tin-worker used or made. 1

Early Origins of the Kord family

The surname Kord was first found in Shropshire where Arnald Carde was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1221. A few years later, Laurence Carde was listed in Cornwall in 1297. 1

In Scotland, the name is derived from the "Gaelic ceard, a craftsman, an artist mechanic, and later a travelling tinker. In an ancient Irish manuscript cerdd is glossed by Latin aerarius, which means 'worker in brass.' Many of the fine old Highland plaid brooches of brass, specimens of which are shown in the Scottish National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh, are believed to be the work of men of this class." 2

Early History of the Kord family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kord research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1500 and 1681 are included under the topic Early Kord History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kord Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Kord include Card, Carde and others.

Early Notables of the Kord family

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

Migration of the Kord family to Ireland

Some of the Kord 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 Kord family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Kord were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Card who settled in Virginia in 1654 with his wife Mary; Robert Carde settled in Virginia in 1642.

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)