Kyd

Origin: Kyd is a surname of Scottish and northern English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "cyta," meaning a young fellow or kid. The name likely referred to a playful or lively person in the Middle Ages.

Distribution: The surname Kyd is relatively rare and is primarily found in Scotland and northern England. Variants of the name include Kidd and Kydd.

Notable Individuals:

  1. Thomas Kyd (1558-1594): An English playwright known for his play The Spanish Tragedy, which is considered one of the greatest works of Elizabethan drama.

  2. Joseph Kydd (b. 1980): A British artist known for his contemporary paintings and installations that explore themes of identity and culture.

  3. Laura Kydd (b. 1995): A Scottish footballer who plays as a forward for the national team and Glasgow City FC.

Modern Usage: The surname Kyd continues to be used by individuals primarily in the United Kingdom and its former colonies. It may also be found in other English-speaking countries due to migration and diaspora.

There are approximately 103 people named Kyd in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Kyd.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Ian
  • Jeremy

Female

  • Sarah

Similar and related surnames

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

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.