kyd

Kyd is a surname of English origin. The spelling without a final d is sometimes used interchangeably with Kydd, and the name may derive from a medieval given name or appear as a toponymic or occupational surname. The exact etymology is uncertain, and early records show the form Kyd in use in England during the early modern period.

The best-known bearer of the name is Thomas Kyd (c. 1558–1594), an English Renaissance dramatist whose work contributed to the development of English tragedy. His best-known play is The Spanish Tragedy (c. 1587), a revenge tragedy that influenced later dramatists and helped shape the conventions of Elizabethan drama. While the authorship of some early works attributed to Kyd has been debated by scholars, he is generally regarded as a significant early contributor to English theatre. Biographical details about Kyd are limited, but he is believed to have been active in London in the 1580s and 1590s.

In contemporary usage, Kyd primarily appears as a surname. It may occasionally be encountered as a given name, though this is comparatively rare. The name remains most common in English-speaking countries.

See also: Kydd, a related surname with a similar origin.