Kidman
A habitational surname derived from a place name, likely signifying someone who hailed from a farmstead or village.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 617 Americans carry the last name Kidman. That puts it at #40,745 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.18 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 555,518 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kidman surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
617
1 in 555,518
Census rank
#40,745
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
536
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 536 bearers of the surname Kidman in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 40745th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kidman, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.8%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kidman
The surname Kidman is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "cydda" or "cydde," meaning "famous" or "renowned," and "mann," meaning "man." This combination suggests that the name may have initially referred to a well-known or prominent individual.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, a survey of landholdings conducted in 1273-1274. The entry mentions a "William Kydeman" from the village of Ickleton. This suggests that the surname was already established in parts of eastern England by the late 13th century.
Throughout the medieval and early modern periods, variations in spelling were common due to inconsistencies in record-keeping and regional dialects. Some alternative spellings of the name included Kidman, Kiddeman, Kiddiman, and Kydeman.
While the Kidman name does not appear in the renowned Domesday Book of 1086, it is possible that some of the earliest bearers of the name were landowners or individuals of note in their local communities during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest known individuals with the Kidman surname was John Kidman, born in Wymondham, Norfolk, in 1544. He was a prominent merchant and served as a member of the local government.
Another notable figure was William Kidman, born in Lincolnshire in 1632. He was a scholar and clergyman who published several works on religious and philosophical topics.
In the 18th century, Thomas Kidman (1720-1798), a successful businessman from Yorkshire, was instrumental in establishing a thriving textile trade in the region.
During the 19th century, the Kidman name gained recognition through individuals like Sir Sydney Kidman (1857-1935), an Australian pastoralist and businessman who amassed a vast cattle empire across the outback.
Another well-known bearer of the name was Margery Kidman (1876-1958), a pioneering female journalist and author from New Zealand, who wrote extensively on social and political issues.
While the Kidman surname may have originated in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and North America, reflecting the migration patterns of its bearers over the centuries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kidman
Among Census respondents with the surname Kidman, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.8%).
The bar chart below shows how Kidman bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kidman surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White94.0%
- Hispanic or Latino4.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kidman surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #40,745 | #40,745 | 0.0% |
| Count | 536 | 536 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kidman bearers went from 536 to 536 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #40,745 to #40,745.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kidman
FAQ
Kidman surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kidman?
The surname Kidman holds position #40,745 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 617 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.18 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kidman surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kidman, the largest self-reported group is White at 94.0%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (4.8%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.