Surname Todd - Meaning and Origin
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read moreTodd: What does the surname Todd mean?
The surname Todd is a habitational name which is derived from an Old English word meaning ‘an enclosure’ or ‘a plot of land.’ The name is thought to have originated from various places in England and Scotland, most notably in Yorkshire and Hertfordshire.
The surname Todd is a patronymic name, meaning that it is derived from the personal name of a father or ancestor, most likely, originating from an Old Germanic personal name ‘Tudd,’ which was a pet form of the name ‘Rudolph.’ It has also been suggested that the name may come from the Gaelic ‘Todhan,’ meaning hillock.
The most famous bearers of the name are undoubtedly the American actor and singer, Mary Todd Lincoln who was the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, and Mary Todd (nee Davidson) who was the great grand daughter of the Scottish born immigrant, Robert Todd who was living in Pennsylvania in the late 18th century.
The surname is relatively common in the United States, with a rank of 278 in terms of popularity. In England, the name has a rank of 6,606. It is slightly more popular in Scotland, with a rank of 2,245.
The name is now also used as a given name, most likely due to its popularity within the United States.
Generally, the surname Todd is a habitational name which signifies a person who belonged to a place called ‘Todd’ or ‘Tott.’ It is derived from an Old English word meaning ‘an enclosure’ or ‘a plot of land’ and may also have its roots in the Gaelic language meaning ‘hillock.’
Order DNA origin analysisTodd: Where does the name Todd come from?
The last name Todd is particularly common in the United States, particularly in the states of Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. According to data from the United States Census Bureau in 2016, the last name Todd accounted for 0.204 percent of the total population. Outside of the United States, Todd is an especially popular last name in Canada, which is home to more than 73,000 people who bear this name. It is also common in parts of the United Kingdom, particularly in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England.
The origins of the surname Todd are uncertain, though it appears to have emerged during the Middle Ages. It is likely to have been derived from Patou or Tod, which were both nicknames for people who looked particularly strong or healthy. As such, the surname Todd could signify physical strength and robustness.
The Todds of Scotland can trace their lineage to a family of baronets from the town of Ayre, in the old county of Roxburgh, who were a part of the Clan Home. On the other hand, Todds in Northern Ireland are believed to have descended from tenement farmers and traders. Today, there are many famous bearers of the last name Todd, including the political commentator Charlotte Todd, baseball player J.T. Todd, and the renowned British admiral Edward J.T. Todd.
Variations of the surname Todd
The surname Todd is derived from the Middle English “todde”, which means fox. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Todd include Taud, Tode, Tod, Todde, Todson, Todde, Toddeson, Todds, Todhunter, Tody, and Tohill.
Taud is the most commonly seen variant of the surname Todd. It usually appears in records from Scotland and Ireland. Tode is another variant commonly seen in records from Scotland and Ireland. Tod is a variant that usually appears in records from England and Scotland, while Todde is often used in records from England.
Todson is a variant that originated in Scotland and is widespread throughout the British Isles. It is often seen in records from England and Scotland. Toddeson is another variant often seen in records from England. Todds is a short form of the surname that is often used in records from Scotland.
Todhunter, Tody, and Tohill are all variants that originated in Scotland. Todhunter is the more common of these variants and is often seen in records from Scotland and England. Tody is a somewhat rare variant of the surname Todd. Finally, Tohill is a variant that is commonly seen in records from Ireland.
Famous people with the name Todd
- Anna Todd: Bestselling author of the After Series and the Spring Girls series
- Joe Todd: English professional football player for Oldham Athletic
- Joshua Todd: American singer, songwriter, and former lead singer for Buckcherry
- Chris Todd: American college football coach and former college and NFL player
- Evan Todd: American actor best known for his roles in Hostel and The Joker
- Mark Todd: English equestrian, 1986 and 1998 world champion and 1984 and 1988 Olympic gold medalist
- Kortney Todd: Retired American soccer player
- Marlo Todd: American actress most known for her roles in the films horror Saturday School and the sci-fi film The Joining
- Neil Todd: English cricketer
- Richard Todd: Northern Irish actor who appeared in many classic films including The Dam Busters and The Longest Day