Surname Hyde - Meaning and Origin

Tracing My Proudest Heritage Through DNA: A Journey into the Origins of the Hyde Lineage

The iGENEA DNA testing service traced the roots of my family name, Hyde, revealing fascinating connections with the ancient Celts, and derived possibly from the Old English term 'hide'. The DNA Relatives feature and community discussions enhanced the experience, offering the possibility of connecting with newfound relatives and shared history.

C. Hyde

Hyde: What does the surname Hyde mean?

The surname Hyde is of English origin and derives from the Old English term "hied," which means "a measure of land." Traditionally, a "hide" referred to the amount of land sufficient to sustain a family or household, typically around 120 acres. Therefore, when used as a last name, Hyde likely originally referred to someone who owned or lived on this amount of land. The surname is found prominently in the English counties of Cheshire and Lancashire and has variations such as Hydes, Hide, and Hyd.

However, the significance of the last name Hyde also gained a different meaning due to the famous novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". In the narrative, Hyde is a character that embodies the darker, evil side of the human personality, giving the name a psychological connotation associated with concealed or dual identities.

Hyde: Where does the name Hyde come from?

The surname Hyde has its roots in England and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The term is derived from the Old English pre-7th century denomination "hyde," for someone who lived on "a hide of land." This was a variable measure of land, generally considered enough to support a family.

Different families bearing the Hyde name were first found in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire in the 13th century.

Today, Hyde is most common in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom (particularly in the North West region), the United States, Canada, and Australia. The surname might have variants like Hide or Hydes, and its frequency and spread have considerably grown due to migration and diaspora.

Noteworthy people with the Hyde name include Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon and Historian of the English Civil War, Douglas Hyde, first President of Ireland, and famous fictional character Dr. Jekyll's alter ego, Mr. Hyde.

Variations of the surname Hyde

The surname Hyde has a few variations and similar spellings that have the same origins. The main origin of ‘Hyde’ is English, derived from the Old English word 'hȳd,' meaning hide, a measure of land. This name was traditionally given to people who lived on a hide of land.

Variations of the surname Hyde include Hide, Hides, Hydes, Hyd, and Hydes. These variants are typically the result of regional dialects and phonetic spellings, influenced by the era's predominant level of literacy.

Similar surnames of the same origin can also include Hidesmith, Hidson, and Hidman, although these are less common. Moreover, Hyde can sometimes be found as a compound in longer, typically locational surnames. These are formed by pairing ‘Hyde’ with a geographic descriptor, as in Hydefield, Hydeholme, or Hydeley.

Please note that the surname Hyde should not be confused with the Dutch/German surname 'Heide', which has different origins. Despite the phonetic similarities, 'Heide' comes from the Old High German 'heida', meaning 'heath', 'moor' or 'uncultivated land', and is not directly related to the English surname Hyde.

Famous people with the name Hyde

• Henry Hyde: Henry Hyde was an American politician and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2007.
• Alexander Hyde: Alexander Hyde is an American music composer, producer, songwriter, performer, and recording engineer.
• Jack Hyde: Jack Hyde was an actor known for his roles in the 1971 film Suburbia and the 1985 TV movie Manhunt.
• Gail Hyde: Gail Hyde is an American novelist, short story writer, and poet.
• Donald Hyde: Donald Hyde was an American literary historian and lecturer at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
• Douglas Hyde: Douglas Hyde was an Irish scholar, linguist, writer, educator, and politician. He was the first President of Ireland from 1938-1945.
• Laurence Hyde: Laurence Hyde was an English statesman, writer, and politician. He was the first Earl of Clarendon and was Secretary of State during the reigns of James I and Charles I.
• Anthony Hyde: Anthony Hyde is an American television writer and producer. He is best known for his work on the HBO series The Wire and Treme.
• Barclay Hyde: Barclay Hyde is an American journalist and writer. He has written for various publications, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times.
• Edward Hyde: Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, was an English politician, soldier, colonial governor, and governor of New York and New Jersey from 1702-1708.

Other surnames

Hyde de La