Surname Tiddlehurst - Meaning and Origin
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Tiddlehurst: What does the surname Tiddlehurst mean?
The surname Tiddlehurst is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the combination of the Old English given name Tiddel, which means a furrow or hollow in the ground, and the Old English word hyrst, which refers to a wooded hill or knoll. Together, they form the literal meaning of Tiddlehurst as ‘Tiddel’s hyrst’.
The ancient spelling of the name was Tidelhyrst, with the earliest record of the name appearing in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, which were a census of properties and landholders in England during the reign of King Edward I. From this early period, the family name spread to new areas, making it one of the more widely scattered surnames in the region. In particular, it is found in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Oxfordshire, and Devon.
The Tiddlehursts are a well-known and respected local family, who have made their homes in many of the counties where the name is found. Throughout history, many of them have formed part of the landed gentry, serving as high sheriffs, justices, and other significant figures in the UK. Today, the Tiddlehursts still display a strong sense of loyalty to their ancestral homelands, excessive pride in their family history, and an unyielding commitment to their descendants in the community.
Order DNA origin analysisTiddlehurst: Where does the name Tiddlehurst come from?
The last name Tiddlehurst is not a common name today as it is derived from an Old English surname, 'Tidaldehurst' which was first recorded in the 12th century. Location wise, the name is found mainly in the United Kingdom; England, Scotland and Wales.
The UK's 1881 census shows the name Tiddlehurst was most common in Lancashire County, which is located in the northwest of England, and in Ecclesall, Yorkshire in the north of England. Another concentration of Tiddlehurst was found in Machynlleth, Wales in 1891, where the name was spelled as Tiddlehirst.
Today, it's estimated there are fewer than 500 people who have the last name Tiddlehurst living in the United Kingdom. Interestingly, there are also a few individuals with the name living abroad, specifically in New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. It's possible that during the early 20th century, members of the Tiddlehurst name emigrated to those countries, as records of the name being in those countries date back to 1920.
It's likely that during the 13th century, the Tiddlehurst name originated from locally inhabited manor houses, or 'Hurst' which were called Tiddahs or Tiddners in Old English. As a result, 'Tiddlehurst' wouldn't necessarily be a familial name, but more of a household name.
Variations of the surname Tiddlehurst
Tiddlehurst is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words ‘tidda’ meaning ‘small’ and ‘hurst’ meaning ‘woodland settlement’ or ‘wooded hill’. The name was used to describe someone who lived in a small clearing or dwelling surrounded by wooded hills. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Tiddlehurst, Tiddelhurst, Teddelhurst, Tydlehurst, Tidelhurst, Tydelhurst, Tiddilstone, Tidlehurst, Tiddleson, and Tidworth. The surname is most heavily concentrated in the United Kingdom and has been found to have localized clusters in South West Sussex and across the Midlands. Interestingly, a variant spelling of the surname, Tidwell, is more widespread in the United States than in the United Kingdom. In the United States the first recorded appearances of the surname appear to have been in the late 1800s in Iowa, Illinois, South Carolina, and Ohio.
Famous people with the name Tiddlehurst
- Arthur Tiddlehurst (1882-1944), British actor in silent films.
- John Tiddlehurst (1845-1932), English cricketer.
- Ruth Tiddlehurst (1899-1980), British novelist.
- Claud Tiddlehurst (1879-1964), English footballer.
- Amy Tiddlehurst (1892-1973), British children's author.
- William Tiddlehurst (1809-1879), Australian explorer.
- Percy Tiddlehurst (1879-1953), English musician and composer.
- Arthur Tiddlehurst (1890-1955), British filmmaker.
- John Tiddlehurst (1855-1931), British army officer.
- Richard Tiddlehurst (1812-1901), British antiquarian.