Surname Custard - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Custard: What does the surname Custard mean?
The last name Custard is of Anglo-Saxon origin and likely derived from the Old French word "cousture," meaning "seam." This suggests that the original bearers of this surname may have been involved in a craft associated with sewing, such as tailoring or cloth manufacturing. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling changed, resulting in the modern "Custard." It is also possible that the surname has geographical roots, associated with a particular location in France or England. Like many surnames, its exact origin and meaning can be difficult to trace with complete certainty due to changes in languages and record-keeping over centuries. Therefore, the meaning of the surname Custard may bear a close relation to a craft, particularly sewing or tailoring, or a geographical location.
Order DNA origin analysisCustard: Where does the name Custard come from?
The surname Custard is of Old French origin, derived from the Old French word "cussot" or "coustot", which translates to "a type of knife" or "knife maker." It was likely used as an occupational surname, given to individuals who made or sold knives.
The name is thought to have first originated in Normandy, France. It was brought over to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, where it was commonly used in Yorkshire and Lancaster. This surname has many variations such as Cossart, Cosart, Costard, Cust, and Custerson.
Today, the surname Custard is still prevalent in England, especially in the northern regions. There is also a significant presence in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania and California. A smaller number of people bearing the surname can be found in Australia and Canada.
Variations of the surname Custard
The surname Custard comes from Anglo-Norman origins. Not surprisingly, it is often mistaken for the sweet dessert, but actually carries a different meaning. Being a locational surname, it's derived from the Old French elements "cote" (cottage) and "ard" (hill). Thus, Custard is a topographic name for one who lived by a cottage on a hill.
The spelling variations for the surname Custard include but not limited to: Custard, Custerd, Custurd, Cusstard, Cussterd, Custarrd, Custer, Custar, Custred, Custurd, Kester, Custerd, and Custert. These are largely phonetic variants, arising due to regional accents and multiple transcription of the surname throughout history.
Additionally, the surname Custer, most famously associated with General George Armstrong Custer who is known for his ill-fated last stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn, can be mentioned as well.
The reason why there are so many spellings of the same surname is due to the documentation by church officials and scribes in the Middle Ages who wrote names as they sounded rather than adhering to strict spelling rules. Therefore, errors and variants arose as the English language evolved during medieval period. Hence, one has to consider all these variants when researching genealogy related to the surname Custard.
Famous people with the name Custard
- Charles William Custard, British entomologist.
- Sir George Custard, British politician.
- Robert Custard, English entertainer.
- indignation Custard, Irish poet.
- Thomas Custard, English book collector.
- Henry Custard, Canadian journalist.
- Michael John Custard, New Zealand actor.
- Arthur Custard, British naval architect.
- Henry Vincent Custard, British barrister.
- Alfred Custard, British architect.
- Paul Custard, British cinematographer.
- Mike Custard, Australian sculptor.
- Patrick Custard, British actor.
- Frank Custard, English artist.
- John Custard, American politician.
- Alan Custard, Canadian actor.
- William Custard, English lawyer and politician.
- George Louis Custard, English politician.
- Bryan Custard, American visual early music specialist.
- John Thomas Custard, English theologian.