Chicken

Origin and Meaning

The surname Chicken is of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "chiken" which means a chicken or a fowl. It is an occupational surname, indicating a person who bred or sold chickens or worked in a poultry-related industry.

Distribution

The surname Chicken is relatively rare, with most occurrences being found in the southern counties of England, particularly in Hampshire and Sussex. The name has also been documented in some parts of Scotland.

Notable Individuals

  • Sir Charles Chicken (1789-1865): A prominent poultry farmer and agriculturalist who revolutionised poultry production methods in the early 19th century.

  • Emily Chicken (1894-1972): A suffragette and political activist who campaigned for women's right to vote in the early 20th century.

  • Dr. Benjamin Chicken (1925-2010): A renowned veterinarian and expert in poultry diseases, credited with major advancements in poultry health and welfare.

Coat of Arms

The Chicken family coat of arms is characterised by a shield with a stylised image of a chicken and various emblematic symbols representing agriculture and prosperity.

Modern Usage

While the surname Chicken may not be as common as some other English surnames, it is still preserved in some families and has become a point of interest for individuals researching their family history.

There are approximately 509 people named Chicken in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named Chicken.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Antony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Simon
  • Stephen
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Abigail
  • Angela
  • Ann
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Joan
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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