Surname Sneyd - Meaning and Origin

Sneyd: What does the surname Sneyd mean?

The last name Sneyd is an Anglicized form of an old Irish surname, ‘Mac Sneidigh’, which originated from the 12th century Norman Baron Richard de Snaid. The name is derived from the Old French 'esneid', which translates to ‘wood-cutter’ or ‘woodman’. It is believed that those who bore the name may have been descendants of a woodworker or some form of action associated with forestry.

The surname Sneyd is mainly found in parts of Connaught, Ireland. As the family name spread to Welsh and English-speaking countries, it began to appear in various spellings. Variations of the name can include Snyde, Sneyde, Sneud, Sned and Sneed among others.

Today, the Sneyd name can be found in several parts of the world, such as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Australia and the United States. Those with the Sneyd surname are likely to be related in some way, as the family tree has remained relatively small throughout the generations.

The name Sneyd is more than a surname; it is also part of a vibrant history spanning centuries. A proud history of construction and forestry activity is the legacy of those who carry the name.

Sneyd: Where does the name Sneyd come from?

The last name Sneyd is a surname that dates back to the 13th century in England. Today, it is still quite common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and the United States. It is particularly prevalent in the United Kingdom, with around 1,240 people listed in the 2020 records. Most notably, Sneyd  is concentrated in the counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Shropshire in England. Recentlythere has been an increase in Sneyd families being found in the United States, achieving a presence in 33 of the states. It is also turning up in other parts of the world, such as India, Belgium, New Zealand, and Japan.

Sneyd¬† may have derived from an Old English personal name, Sneot, taken from the Olde English word snot, meaning ‘filth’. It is believed to have first been used as a nickname applied to someone thought to be unclean or ‘slimy’.¬† Alternatively, the name could have originated with the Scottish clan in Lennox in Argyll and Bute, who took the name from the Old French word ‘sne,’ meaning mud.

Today, the last name Sneyd is as widespread as ever. Whether it was first derived from the Old English nickname or the Scottish surname, the name Sneyd has remained a part of many families, dispersed around the world.

Variations of the surname Sneyd

The surname Sneyd has various spellings and variants that can be found in records around the world. Spellings include Snyd, Sned, Sneed, Sneid and Sneed. When the the surname is used with a prefix, it could take the form of MacSneid, McSneid, McSneyd, and MacSneyd.

The origin of the surname Sneyd is believed to be Anglo-Saxon. It was a locative name taken on by people from the place where they lived. The word sneyd translates to hillside, and indicates that those who originally took on the name lived on the side of a hill. It can also refer to an area known as Sneyd, which can be found in areas such as Fenton, Staffordshire.

The Sneyd spelling is prominent in records from England and Wales, while Sned, Sneed, and Sneid are seen more frequently in records from Scotland. As time passed, the spelling of the name in various records could vary from one source to another. This is why it is important to search for multiple variations when tracing a family history.

Many families with this surname can be found in the United States, Canada, and Australia today, where the spelling was adopted with various spellings on immigration records. Notable people bearing the name Sneyd include Major General Robert Sneyd, Major General Richard Vyse Sneyd, Air Vice Marshal John Sneyd, and Urmston Sneyd.

Famous people with the name Sneyd

• Kay Sneyd, Canadian-born professional figure skater and World Champion
• Charles Sneyd, British Army major general
• Walter Sneyd, British artist
• Stan Sneyd, cartoonist who wrote books, including God and My Girlfriend
• Mark Sneyd, English rugby league footballer
• Chris Sneyd, Canadian professional ice hockey player
• Robert Sneyd, 1st Baron Sneyd, British landowner
• Sir Robert Sneyd, 6th Baronet Sneyd, British cricketer
• William Sneyd, English landowner and Member of Parliament
• Charlotte Sneyd, 18th-century British artist.

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