This uncommon and intriguing name has two possible interpretations; firstly, it may be of Anglo-Saxon origin, and an example of that interesting group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were given in the first instance with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, and frequently alluding to some fancied resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition. In the case of the surname Tad(d), the derivation is from the Olde English pre 7th Century "tadige, tada, tadde", toad, sometimes used also for "frog", and in Middle English "tadde, tode"; the nickname was perhaps for someone with prominent eyes or a very deep voice. The second possible origin of the surname is from a medieval given name, "Tedd", thought to be a short form of an Olde English or Norman personal name with the Old Germanic "theudo", people, race, as its first element, such as Theobald, "people-bold". The first recording of the surname, below, is from this source. Examples of the name from Church Registers include: the christening of Catharine, daughter of Nicholas Tadd, on March 8th 1589, at Boughton under Blean, Kent; the marriage of Edward Tadd and An Saffe in Trowbridtge, Wiltshire, on December 19th 1644; and the marriage of John Tadd and Joanna Stevens on May 7th 1677, at Allhallows, London Wall, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Tedde, which was dated 1327, recorded at Fillongley, Warwickshire, during the reign of King Edward 11, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307 - 1327. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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