CHILD
Child
Child is an English surname derived from the Old English word "cild," meaning "child" or "youth." The surname is believed to have originally been used as a term of endearment or as a nickname for someone who displayed childlike characteristics.
Origin
The Child surname is of pre-7th century Old English origins, with the first recorded instance dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086. It was used to describe the son of a nobleman or a prominent person.
Distribution
The surname Child is widely distributed across England, with concentrations in regions such as the Midlands, East Anglia, and the South East. Over time, individuals with the Child surname have migrated to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Notable Individuals
- Francis James Child (1825-1896): An American scholar known for his collection of English and Scottish ballads, often referred to as the Child Ballads.
- Arthur Child (1866-1953): A British chemist known for his work on colloid studies.
- Fred Child (b. 1962): An American radio personality and host of the classical music programme "Performance Today."
Variants
Variants of the Child surname include Childe and Childs. These variants may have arisen from regional dialects, phonetic spelling variations, or anglicisation over time.
Coat of Arms
The Child family coat of arms typically features symbols such as lions, eagles, and crosses. These symbols often represent qualities such as courage, strength, and faith. Coat of arms have been used historically as a means of identification and familial pride.
Overall, the Child surname carries a rich history and continues to be passed down through generations, connecting individuals to their ancestral roots and heritage.
There are approximately 5,600 people named Child in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,688th most common surname in Britain. Around 86 in a million people in Britain are named Child.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Alison
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Joanne
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Childs
- Chiles
- Childes
- Chila
- Childers
- Childe
- Chield
- Chil
- Chalat
- Chalet
- Challet
- Challot
- Chalot
- Chalt
- Cheeld
- Chelotti
- Childer
- Childley
- Childlow
- Childres
- Chilet
- Chili
- Chillott
- Chilo
- Chilott
- Chilp
- Cholet
- Chollet
- Cholot
- Schibild
- Schild
- Schilde
- Schilder
- Schildt
- Schilt
- Schilz
- Shalet
- Shalit
- Sheald
- Sheeld
- Sheild
- Sheladia
- Shelat
- Shelite
- Shelito
- Shelitoe
- Shellett
- Shellito
- Shellitoe
- Shelt
- Shield
- Shielde
- Shilds
- Shildy
- Shileds
- Shileto
- Shilito
- Shilitoe
- Shilitto
- Shilleto
- Shilletoe
- Shillett
- Shilletto
- Shillietoe
- Shillite
- Shillito
- Shillitoe
- Shillitto
- Shillto
- Shilt
- Sholt
- Should
- Shoult
- Shult
- Shulte
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.