Surname Afford - Meaning and Origin
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Afford: What does the surname Afford mean?
The last name Afford is derived from a place name meaning "off the ford" from Old English. This signifies a location near a ford, or shallow crossing, of a river or stream. People with this surname likely originated from a place near a shallow crossing of a waterway, or someone who lived there. The earliest written records of the Afford surname date back to the late 12th century in England.
The Afford surname is relatively common in England and the United States, indicating that many of those with this name likely migrated to the U.S. in the 1800s. It also continues to be popular in other parts of Europe, particularly Scotland, Ireland, and Canada.
While the name has English origins, the variations Aford, Afort, and Affourt indicate French influence as well and may point to a Huguenot origin around the time of the English Civil War in the middle of the 17th century.
The Afford name has also been connected to royal heritage and to significance in the military, with the name first used as a personal name by a knight in 1683. People with this name who served in the British military include Colonel J.M. Afford, General Walter Afford, and Rear-Admiral Frank Afford.
Overall, the surname Afford is associated with a place of origin near a shallow crossing of a river or stream, and may have seen influence from French Huguenots in the 17th century. It has particular significance in British military history and continues to be popular with many variations across England, Europe, and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisAfford: Where does the name Afford come from?
The last name Afford is most commonly found in England and the United Kingdom today. It is often found in areas that have historically been tied to the Anglo-Saxon immigrants of the eighth century. The last name Afford can be found in areas with names such as Affordham, Affordshire, and Eastbourne in Kent. It is also common in West Yorkshire, Devon, and Somerset.
Although Afford is most prevalent in England, it can be found across the wider British Isles, as well as in certain parts of continental Europe. Examples include Affori in Italy and Affor in Germany.
The Afford surname is believed to have originated from either an Anglo-Saxon name meaning “Bald Head” or a Norman name meaning “Five Forks.” The name is recorded as Farreforde in the 12th Century Latin Documents known as the Curia Regis Rolls, which were a collection of records written by courtiers during the reign of King Henry II.
The Afford last name may have been some families’ way of expressing their loyalty to the crown and their associations with nobility. Today, the Affords are a widely dispersed family, leading to the likelihood of changes in the spelling of the name over time.
Variations of the surname Afford
Afford is an Anglo-Saxon or English surname deriving from the Old English word of ‘Aeforð’ which meant ‘Forward, absolute authority’. It was used to describe a leader or otherwise someone in a position of authority. It features frequently in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was carried to Scotland by the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Variants of the surname Afford include Auffret, Aford, Awood, Affer, Aff arcs, Averard, Aeverardson, Awford and Averitt.
The spelling variations for Afford are Auford, Awford, Averard, Averitt, Averard, Averardson, Aword, Aifford, Afisted and Avey.
Surnames of the same origin include Auford, Aford, Awood, Aeford, Averard, Averarsd, Aifford, Aufret, Affer, Afisted, Aaveritt & Averitt.
All of these variant spellings and surnames of Afford are derived from the Old English-Latin origins of the name, with some of the spelling variations indicating a distinct regional origin. Examples include Averard (Old English-French), Aford (Old English-Scottish), Aifford (Old English-Irish) and Auford (Old English-Welsh). All of these ultimately come from the same root of Aeforð meaning of ‘ Forward, absolute authority’.
Famous people with the name Afford
- Jack Afford: Australian Actor who starred in the films Playing for Keeps and A Man's Gotta Do
- Brad Afford: Professional NASCAR driver
- Ben Afford: American Football Player who won the Super Bowl XX with the Chicago Bears
- John Afford: English Painter and Royal Academician
- Elizabeth Afford: British Actress, known for roles in the movies Brief Encounter and The Remains of the Day
- Robert Afford: Acclaimed American Jazz Musician
- Sam Afford: British Radio Presenter
- John Afford: British Writer and Screenwriter, best-known for his work on Harry Potter and The Golden Compass
- Luke Afford: Canadian Scientist and Professor at the University of Toronto
- Richard Afford: Former Prime Minister of Australia