Paddick
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paddick is a surname of English origin although substantial groups of Paddicks can be found across the world today. There are several theories as to the origin of the surname[1]: all may be true as there are distinct groupings of Paddicks across England.
The first group, from the Somerset, Dorset and Bristol area of England is thought to derive from the Old English paddock meaning toad. In medieval England paddock was a nickname applied to anyone who was considered mean or spiteful[2], and the progenitor of this group is thought to have been a French merchant who lived in Bristol in the early 14th century.
The second group comes from the Midlands, particularly Shropshire and Staffordshire though also through time from Birmingham and Lancashire, and this name (although most normally written as Paddock rather than Paddick) was originally written as Parrock and derives from the same etymology as the word park. The vast majority of people with the last name Paddick or Paddock in England are descended from this group[3].
The third group are concentrated around the southern coast of England, particularly in the counties of Hampshire and Sussex, and this group is a variant of the surname Padwick.
The following notable people have or had the surname Paddick:
- Brian Paddick, British police commander
- Hugh Paddick, British actor
- John Chester Paddick, British athlete
- Paul Paddick, Australian children's television presenter
- Brian Keith Jones, Australian sex offender, who has changed his name to Shaun Paddick
[edit] References
- ^ The Paddick One-Name Study
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary
- ^ The Paddick One-Name Study
