Tait

Tait is a Scottish and northern English surname of Norman origin. The name is derived from the Old Norse word "teitr," meaning cheerful or glad. It is believed that the name was brought to the British Isles by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking age.

The Tait surname is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in the areas of Shetland, Orkney, and the Scottish Borders. The name has also spread to England, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the British Commonwealth due to migration and emigration patterns.

Notable individuals bearing the Tait surname include:

  1. Frederick Tait (1870–1900) - a Scottish golfer who won the Amateur Championship in 1896 and 1898.
  2. Mary Tait (1925–2007) - a renowned British sculptor known for her abstract and modernist works.
  3. David Tait (b. 1982) - a British former professional rugby player who represented both Scotland and England at international level.

The Tait surname has deep roots in British history, reflecting the cultural and historical connections between Scotland, England, and the Nordic countries. Through the achievements and contributions of individuals with this surname, the legacy of the Tait name continues to endure in the contemporary British landscape.

There are approximately 14,500 people named Tait in the UK. That makes it the 611th most common surname in Britain. Around 223 in a million people in Britain are named Tait.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Alison
  • Catherine
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Karen
  • 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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