UK surname
A surname of possible English origin, potentially referring to a young person or child.
In the 1881 census there were 19 people recorded with the Kid surname, ranking it #30,872 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 41, ranked #35,388, down from #30,872 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Meigle, Borgue and Arbroath and St. Vigeans. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kid is 145 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 115.8%.
1881 census count
19
Ranked #30,872
Modern count
41
2016, ranked #35,388
Peak year
1851
145 bearers
Map years
1
1851 to 1851
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kid surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kid surname density by area, 1851 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 145 | #13,223 |
| 1881 | historical | 19 | #30,872 |
| 1891 | historical | 11 | #33,268 |
| 1901 | historical | 27 | #31,057 |
| 1997 | modern | 6 | #37,704 |
| 1998 | modern | 5 | #37,861 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 3 | #38,248 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 5 | #37,723 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 4 | #38,013 |
| 2005 | modern | 4 | #38,078 |
| 2006 | modern | 6 | #37,788 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 9 | #37,473 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 12 | #37,307 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 23 | #36,366 |
| 2013 | modern | 25 | #36,276 |
| 2014 | modern | 28 | #36,107 |
| 2015 | modern | 29 | #36,040 |
| 2016 | modern | 41 | #35,388 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Meigle, Borgue, Arbroath and St. Vigeans, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meigle | Perth |
| 2 | Borgue | Kirkcudbright |
| 3 | Arbroath and St. Vigeans | Forfar |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kid surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kid, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Kid surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kid household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Kid is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kid is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kid, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kid originated in England during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "kid," which means "young goat" or "child." The name was likely given as a nickname to someone who either tended goats or had a childlike appearance or demeanor.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Kid can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275, where a William le Kid is mentioned. The use of the Norman-French prefix "le" suggests that the name was already established by that time.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, the surname Kid appeared in various spellings, such as Kyd, Kydde, and Kidde, reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling during that period. The different spellings were often used interchangeably, even within the same family.
The surname Kid has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir William Kid (c. 1340 - 1408), a prominent English landowner and Member of Parliament for Worcestershire. Another was Thomas Kid (c. 1555 - 1616), a renowned English clergyman and author who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
In the 17th century, the Kid surname gained some notoriety due to the exploits of William Kid (c. 1655 - 1701), a Scottish sailor and privateer who turned to piracy and became one of the most infamous pirates of the Caribbean. Despite his infamous reputation, the Kid surname was already well-established by that time.
Another notable figure with the Kid surname was Thomas Kid (1666 - 1738), an English mathematician and writer who made significant contributions to the field of cryptography. He is best known for his work on deciphering codes and ciphers, which earned him recognition from the Royal Society.
In the 19th century, the Kid surname was further enriched by individuals such as Joseph Kid (1787 - 1867), a renowned English architect who designed several notable buildings in London, and Samuel Kid (1815 - 1900), a prominent Scottish businessman and philanthropist who made significant contributions to education and social welfare in Glasgow.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kid surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Renfrewshire leads with 8 Kids recorded in 1881 and an index of 25.20x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Renfrewshire | 8 | 25.20x |
| Lanarkshire | 5 | 3.77x |
| Yorkshire | 5 | 1.23x |
| Perthshire | 4 | 21.76x |
| Northumberland | 3 | 4.92x |
| Angus | 2 | 5.27x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 3.12x |
| Middlesex | 2 | 0.49x |
| Midlothian | 2 | 3.65x |
| Norfolk | 2 | 3.18x |
| Staffordshire | 2 | 1.45x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.82x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 1.19x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 1 | 16.86x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.21x |
| Orkney | 1 | 22.17x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire leads with 8 Kids recorded in 1881 and an index of 833.33x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Kilbarchan | 8 | 833.33x |
| Glasgow | 5 | 21.26x |
| Leeds | 4 | 17.45x |
| Monzievaird Strowan | 3 | 3000.00x |
| South Gosforth | 3 | 4285.71x |
| Auchterarder | 1 | 196.08x |
| Boughton | 1 | 3333.33x |
| Bradford | 1 | 10.17x |
| Buxton | 1 | 185.19x |
| Carnforth | 1 | 370.37x |
| Fareham | 1 | 99.01x |
| Hammersmith London | 1 | 9.91x |
| Kenninghall | 1 | 588.24x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.39x |
| Kirkpatrick Durham | 1 | 555.56x |
| Kirkwall St Ola | 1 | 149.25x |
| Logie Pert | 1 | 714.29x |
| Monifieth | 1 | 74.63x |
| Osmaston | 1 | 2000.00x |
| South Leith | 1 | 16.21x |
| Stockton On Tees | 1 | 17.04x |
| Stoke Upon Trent | 1 | 6.82x |
| West Calder | 1 | 92.59x |
| Wolstanton | 1 | 23.81x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kid surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kid surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kid households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 2 |
| Apprentice To Provision &c Trade | 1 |
| Boot Finisher | 1 |
| Coal Miner | 1 |
| Commision Agent | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Farm Serv (Indoor) | 1 |
| Housekeeper | 1 |
| Housemaid | 1 |
| Insurance Secretary | 1 |
| Joiner | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 19 people were recorded with the Kid surname. That placed it at #30,872 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 41 in 2016. That gives Kid a modern rank of #35,388.
A surname of possible English origin, potentially referring to a young person or child.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kid bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.