UK surname
An occupational surname for a traveling merchant dealing in goods or commodities.
In the 1881 census there were 64 people recorded with the Kidder surname, ranking it #24,561 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 66, ranked #33,948, down from #24,561 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace, Branston and St Mary Northgate, St John's Hospital. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kidder is 100 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 3.1%.
1881 census count
64
Ranked #24,561
Modern count
66
2016, ranked #33,948
Peak year
1901
100 bearers
Map years
1
1901 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Kidder surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Kidder surname density by area, 1901 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 | 53 | #23,739 |
| 1861 | historical | 82 | #23,321 |
| 1881 | historical | 64 | #24,561 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 100 | #22,863 |
| 1911 | historical | 98 | #22,959 |
| 1997 | modern | 73 | #30,306 |
| 1998 | modern | 69 | #31,076 |
| 1999 | modern | 66 | #31,509 |
| 2000 | modern | 65 | #31,641 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 75 | #30,950 |
| 2003 | modern | 66 | #31,879 |
| 2004 | modern | 62 | #32,478 |
| 2005 | modern | 67 | #32,196 |
| 2006 | modern | 65 | #32,743 |
| 2007 | modern | 68 | #32,760 |
| 2008 | modern | 72 | #32,656 |
| 2009 | modern | 72 | #33,021 |
| 2010 | modern | 69 | #33,560 |
| 2011 | modern | 63 | #33,982 |
| 2012 | modern | 65 | #33,964 |
| 2013 | modern | 66 | #34,003 |
| 2014 | modern | 67 | #33,959 |
| 2015 | modern | 65 | #34,036 |
| 2016 | modern | 66 | #33,948 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace, Branston, St Mary Northgate, St John's Hospital, Northbourne and Wheatley, South. 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 | St George, Hanover Square, Buckingham Palace | London (West Districts) |
| 2 | Branston | Lincolnshire |
| 3 | St Mary Northgate, St John's Hospital | Kent |
| 4 | Northbourne | Kent |
| 5 | Wheatley, South | Nottinghamshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Kidder 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 Kidder, 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 Kidder surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Kidder 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, Kidder 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 Kidder is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Kidder, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Kidder is of English origin, traced back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English word "kidde," meaning a young goat or kid. This name was likely an occupational name for someone who worked with goats or a nickname for someone perceived to have goat-like qualities.
The earliest recorded instance of the name is found in the Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1273, where it appears as "Nicholaus le Kiddere." This suggests the name was initially an occupational descriptor before evolving into a hereditary surname.
In the 14th century, the name appears in various forms in historical records, such as "Kiddere," "Kydder," and "Kider." These variations were likely due to regional dialects and spelling inconsistencies common during that time.
The surname Kidder has also been associated with certain place names, such as Kidderminster in Worcestershire, England. This town's name is derived from the Old English "Kidda's mynstre," meaning "the monastery of Kidda." It is possible that some Kidders may have originated from or resided in this area.
Notable individuals bearing the surname Kidder include:
1. Richard Kidder (1633-1703), an English clergyman and writer who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells. 2. James Kidder (1736-1805), an American Revolutionary War soldier and early settler in Vermont. 3. Frederick Kidder (1804-1885), an American geologist and naturalist known for his work in Brazil and the United States. 4. Alfred Vincent Kidder (1885-1963), an American archaeologist and anthropologist renowned for his excavations in the American Southwest. 5. Margot Kidder (1948-2018), a Canadian-American actress best known for her portrayal of Lois Lane in the Superman film series.
The surname Kidder has been present in various regions of England and later spread to other parts of the world, including North America, through immigration. While its origins can be traced back to medieval times, the name continues to hold significance as a testament to occupational and regional heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kidder 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. Lincolnshire leads with 23 Kidders recorded in 1881 and an index of 23.04x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lincolnshire | 23 | 23.04x |
| Kent | 16 | 7.51x |
| Middlesex | 13 | 2.08x |
| Essex | 6 | 4.87x |
| Sussex | 2 | 1.90x |
| Yorkshire | 2 | 0.32x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 1.08x |
| Surrey | 1 | 0.33x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Carlton in Lincolnshire leads with 11 Kidders recorded in 1881 and an index of 36666.67x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| North Carlton | 11 | 36666.67x |
| St George Hanover Square | 7 | 63.64x |
| Northbourne | 6 | 3000.00x |
| West Ham | 5 | 18.38x |
| Birchington | 4 | 1333.33x |
| Branston | 3 | 967.74x |
| Cammeringham | 2 | 6666.67x |
| Greenwich | 2 | 20.12x |
| Hornsey | 2 | 25.35x |
| Hythe St Leonard | 2 | 266.67x |
| St Andrew Holborn London | 2 | 74.07x |
| Barking | 1 | 27.70x |
| Battersea | 1 | 4.35x |
| Bridge | 1 | 555.56x |
| Brightside Bierlow | 1 | 8.24x |
| Cherry Willingham | 1 | 3333.33x |
| East Guildford | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Ecclesfield | 1 | 22.03x |
| Fiskerton | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Glentham | 1 | 1111.11x |
| Lewes All Sts | 1 | 238.10x |
| North Shields | 1 | 54.05x |
| Scampton | 1 | 2000.00x |
| Snodland | 1 | 166.67x |
| South Carlton | 1 | 2500.00x |
| St Pancras London | 1 | 1.99x |
| Sudbrooke | 1 | 10000.00x |
| Thurlby | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Tottenham | 1 | 10.06x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kidder 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 Kidder 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 Kidder households.
FAQ
In 1881, 64 people were recorded with the Kidder surname. That placed it at #24,561 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 66 in 2016. That gives Kidder a modern rank of #33,948.
An occupational surname for a traveling merchant dealing in goods or commodities.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kidder 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.