Surname Tidey - Meaning and Origin

Tidey: What does the surname Tidey mean?

The last name Tidey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a habitational name for someone who came from any of the various places named with the Old English pre-7th century word ‘tyd’, meaning ‘tide’. Variations of the name include Tidy, Tithe, Tite, Tydd and Tydde.

The earliest known record of the surname Tidey in England dates back to the 16th century. During the period of 1538-1714, it was listed as being held by landholders in County Suffolk, County Norfolk and County Suffolk.

The earliest known spelling of the Tidey surname was that of John Tidy, which was dated 1588, in Church Records of Suffolk.

The development from the original spelling to the modern-day Tidey is believed to have resulted from the fluctuating politico-military conditions in Europe over the course of 600 years.

Today, the Tidey surname is found in mainly English-speaking countries such as England, the United States, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Notably, the Tidey coat of arms is associated with the surname and is of the heraldic colors of black and silver. It was specifically granted to a family of the Tidey name from Suffolk, England in 1774.

In summary, the last name Tidey is an old Anglo-Saxon surname, which has evolved over centuries from Old English ‘tyd’ meaning ‘tide’. It is typically associated with the Tidey coat of arms, which was granted to a family of the same name in Suffolk, England in 1774, and is found in countries with English-speaking populations today.

Tidey: Where does the name Tidey come from?

The last name Tidey is not particularly common today. It is primarily found in English-speaking countries, although the name is likely of Irish origin.

In England, the last name Tidey has been recorded from as early as the 19th century and is especially associated with the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. In the US, the surname has been found in many of states but is particularly common in the Pennsylvania areas of Philadelphia and Lackawanna. In Canada, the last name Tidey is most frequently found in Quebec and Ontario.

Given its rarity, it is likely that most Tidey families are descendants from the same ancestor. However, the name may have independently derived from multiple origins. For example, the last name Tidey may have derived from a Gaelic name for a family who lived near a river or from a nickname for a hasty or impatient person.

Although the last name Tidey is uncommon today, it is likely that its use is increasing due to immigration and generational mobility. As more people are settling in different countries and communities, they may adopt the name Tidey as a surname for themselves or their children. 

Variations of the surname Tidey

The surname Tidey is a variant spelling of the surname Tidy and is primarily found in England and parts of Ireland. It is an occupational name derived from the medieval English word ‘tidy’ and was used to describe someone involved in the manufacture of woven fabrics. The name can also be found in the records of the ancient Norman French family of Tiede who were established in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Various spelling variations of Tidey are present in historical records, including: Tiedy, Tyedye, Tydde, Tyddy, Tittey, Titey, Tydey, Tiddye, Tyddye, Tidy, and Tidye.

The surname Tidey is derived from a number of English related forms of the name, including Tate, Teat and Tito. Although the given name Tate is mostly of English origin, it also has some roots in Anglo-Saxon and Norse. Tate, being derived from a Norman French form of the Old English name Tata, is ultimately derived from the Latin word ‘tata’ which means ‘father’.

Alternate surnames associated with Tidey include: Tait, Tateson, Tateson, Tiedeman, Tiltman, Tilley, Tilman, and Teate.

The surname Tidey is also found in Scotland. The earliest record of the name was found in Hadfield, Derbyshire in 1510. William Tidey married Margaret Nicollson in 1532 in Edinburgh, Scotland and they had a daughter named Janet.

The name Tidey is generally regarded as a rare and unique surname. In the United States, the 2010 census listed six people with the surname Tidey. The population of people with the surname is likely to be even lower in other countries.

Famous people with the name Tidey

• Sidney Tidey: British film and television actor.
• Charles Tidey: Canadian Olympic rower, silver medalist at Montreal 1976 Olympics.
• Peter Tidey: English cricketer and Anglican priest.
• Jim Tidey: Canadian politician, Member of Legislative Assembly for New Brunswick.
• Joseph Tidey: Irish Roman Catholic bishop of The Rock of Cashel, Ireland.
• John J. Tidey: American politician from New Jersey who served in the U.S House of Representatives from 1870–1875.
• John G. Tidey: American politician from New York who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1887–1889
• Eloy Tidey: Spanish-born actor and director, known for his work on films and television.
• John D. Tidey: American football player who played for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
• Geno Tidey: American businessman and politician from Connecticut.

Other surnames

Tidecks