Sidney (name origin)

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For use of Sidney or Sydney see Sidney (disambiguation) or Sydney (disambiguation)

Sidney or Sydney was originally an English surname. Its main origin is from Old English words meaning "wide well-watered land". [1] Though it is possibly also a contraction of the French place name "Saint-Denis" which was brought to England by the Normans, Hanks & Hodges point out that there is little evidence to support this derivation and it may be the result of folk etymology [2], a position with which Reaney & Wilson concur. [3].

Sidney became widely used as a given name in English speaking countries during the 19th century, with much of its use in the United States after the American Revolution being due to admiration for Algernon Sidney, a martyr to royal tyranny. [4]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Reaney, P.H. & Wilson, R.M. (1997) A dictionary of English surnames, revised edition Oxford University Press, New York, ISBN 0-19-860092-5
  2. ^ Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. (1988). A dictionary of surnames. Oxford University Press, New York, ISBN 0-19-211592-8.
  3. ^ Reaney, P.H. & Wilson, R.M. (1997) A dictionary of English surnames, revised edition Oxford University Press, New York, ISBN 0-19-860092-5
  4. ^ Karsten, Peter (1978) Patriot heroes in England and America: Political symbolism and changing values over three centuries University of Wisconsin Press, Madison ISBN 0299075001
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