The info I have on the name is that it began as a surname in Yorkshire, England in 1193. Byrd is derived from the nickname Bridd, which is the old English spelling for Bird. Other spellings included Brid, Byrde, Bride, and Birde. One branch of the Byrd family was closely associated with the Court of King Richard II, and holders of a large estate in Broxton Chester. This came from an article in the Lexington Herald, Lexington, Ky. published 12-3-1971, entitled "What's in Your Name?" Jan Wilson Kings Mills, Ohio