CODD

Codd is a surname of English origin that can be traced back to the medieval given names Cudde and Cuthbert, which mean “famous, bright or brilliant.” The name functioned as a patronymic, indicating that bearers were descendants of a person named Codd.

The surname also has a separate derivation from the Old English pre‑7th‑century word cod(e), meaning a bag. This or the Middle English codde meaning fish, may have produced a metonymic occupational name for a maker of purses and bags or for a fishmonger. A further possibility is a variant of Cody, an anglicised form of the Gaelic O Cuidighthigh, meaning “descendant of Cuidightheach” – a byname for a helpful person.

The earliest documented spelling is that of Osbert Cod, dated 1148 in Winton, Hampshire, during the reign of King Stephen (1135–1154). Subsequent records include John Lecod (1219) as a witness in the Assise Rolls of Yorkshire, Henry Cod (1273) in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire, and a series of 16th‑ and early 17th‑century entries such as Katheryn Cod marrying Bartylmewe West in 1546 at St. Margaret, Westminster; the christening of Margaret, daughter of George Codde, in 1577 at Christchurch, Greyfriars, London; and the marriage of Susan Codd to Christopher Park in London in 1620.

In the mid‑19th century, Thomas and John Codd emigrated as famine refugees, sailing from Liverpool aboard the Henry-Clay on 26 April 1847 bound for New York.

In Ireland the name is also recorded as Mac Oda; it literally translates as “son of Otto” and was particularly common in County Wexford. The O'Codd family were prominent until the 17th century, when their estates were confiscated following resistance to English rule. The surname appears in further Gaelicised forms such as Mac Oit, the Norse-origin personal name Oit, which again denotes “son of Otto.”

In Welsh contexts the surname may be a variant of Codder, derived from codr meaning “humble” or “lowly.” This illustrates how the spelling and meaning of Codd have varied across the British Isles.

Today the surname Codd is most common in England – especially around London, Kent and Essex – and in Ireland, particularly in Wexford and Dublin. Significant populations also exist in the United States, Canada and Australia, reflecting the historical migration of bearers of the name.

Common variants include Cod, Coad, Code, Coade, Coddman and Codman. Each variant may have arisen from regional accents, differing literacy levels or the adaptation of the name to new cultures.

Typical given names associated with the Codd surname

Male

• Andrew
• Anthony
• David
• James
• John
• Matthew
• Michael
• Paul
• Peter
• Richard
• Stephen
• William

Female

• Elizabeth
• Lisa
• Louise
• Margaret
• Mary
• Michelle
• Nicola
• Pauline
• Philippa
• Rachel
• Sally
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

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

How to communicate the surname Codd in...

Braille

⠉⠕⠙⠙

Morse

-.-.----..-..

Semaphore

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Codd

• Edgar F. Codd - Computer scientist (1923 to 2003)
• Hiram Codd - Inventor (1838 to 1887)
• Clara Codd - (1876 to 1971)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

Your comments on the Codd surname