articles

more »»

Thanks to

pair Networks

feeds

rss, comments

Bird

Posted 28 Jan 04 by Scott Andrew Bird. Filed in name origins.

The surname BIRD was first attached to an individual who lived by the sign of the bird; also to one who had the characteristics of a bird. The Irish word for bird is éan, and names such as O’Neny (sometimes O’Nena), among the chiefs of Moy Ith (County Derry, Ireland) and McEaneny have been Anglicised to Bird since colonists attempted to subjugate the Gaelic way of life. Also the French name L’Oiseau has been anglicised to Bird.

Hugh Le Bird (Hughe L’Oise or Lois or Layse) arrived in England with William the Conqueror in 1066 to fight at the Battle of Hastings. His surname is thought to have been derived from his skill at falconry. By the twelfth century the name LE BIRD was well established in England.

The earliest English Birds settled at Brexton or Braxton and at Chester in Cheshire. Many of the Bird descendants travelled to London about the beginning of the thirteenth century to learn trades, such as: silversmiths, goldsmiths, coppersmiths, silk weavers, etc. Some became merchants. A few became artists.

Sometime around the 15th century some families changed the spelling to Byrd. In fact there is at least one example of this taking place in the same family, with two brothers each selecting an alternate spelling. The reason for this is unknown.

Several Birds are listed in the Heraldic Visitations of Cheshire 1580, which also describe the Crest used by some Birds at that time.

 

Enjoy this site? Why not say thanks with a cup of coffee; or perhaps a a book. You can never read too much.

Other entries you may enjoy

You may also be interested in these entries:

Comments

1

What are the sources of the information in the article on the origin of the surname Bird and the Bird family crest?

Your cite is very user friendly. Thank you.

Posted by: Corrine Shields | September 30, 2004 12:28 AM

2

My mother is a Bird originally from Surrey, England and now living in Canada. I have always been curious about the Bird side of my family, but have never really investigated anything. I did know that it was an old English name. I have been to Edinburgh a few times. What a fabulous city it is! Great site.

Posted by: jane schaffer | December 4, 2004 7:03 AM

3

Just interested in my background, my dad was john bird from Bradford uk, any info?

Posted by: kevin bird | December 7, 2008 9:19 PM

Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)