Surname Arford - Meaning and Origin
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Arford: What does the surname Arford mean?
The last name Arford is derived from the Old English and Anglo-Saxon term “eald” which means old. It also comes from the term “ford” which means a shallow river crossing or a river crossing marked by a shallow ford, such as a bridge. Combined, the term Arford means “an old river crossing.”
The name originated as a topographic or geographical name indicating someone whose livelihood or residence was near such a crossing point. Records show that the earliest known use of the name was in 1086, in the Domesday Book, where it was noted in the form Heanricus de Auforde.
In ancient times, river crossings would have been vital trading points for merchants. As such, fords were amongst the earliest sites of habitation in the British Isles. People living near fords would have had a high degree of visibility in their local communities, and the bridge logo may have become an emblem of their specialization.
The Arford surname is probably much older than the records that first documented it. Given its association with trade, people with the last name Arford may have once traveled great distances between fords to buy and sell their goods.
Today, the name Arford is most strongly associated with the west and southwest of England, particularly Devon, Somerset and Oxfordshire, where it is still quite common. However, the name is also found from Scotland to America. The name also appears around the world in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisArford: Where does the name Arford come from?
The surname Arford is quite uncommon today, though it has been historically significant in various countries. It originated in England, where records show the name dating back to around the 12th century. There are Arford branches throughout the United Kingdom, but it is most prominently found in the West Country, especially Devon and Cornwall.
We can also find Arfords in Ireland, descended from Scottish settlers who came in the 16th century. In recent generations, the name has spread to some parts of Australia, and even to Canada and the United States.
The majority of Americans with the surname Arford likely have their roots in England, and today they can be found predominantly in areas of the Midwest where English immigrants settled. Particularly, the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana are particularly known for their Arford populations. However, the name can still be found scattered throughout the United States.
Variations of the surname Arford
The Arford surname has an array of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variants of Arford include Aruford, Afford, Afforde, Alyford, Arforde, Arruford, Aruforde, Atford, and Atforde. Spelling variations of Arford include Harford, Alford, Atforce, Athforth, Awford, Ausford, Arufet, Aruffe, and Arufit.
Surnames of the same origin for Arford include Affleck, Auford, Avenell, Averel, Averill, Avery, Edletter, Harfford, Harfett, and Mort. Affleck derived from a Scottish place name and originates from Auford. Auford derived from two Old English words: ‘a’ meaning ‘at’ or ‘by’ and ‘ford’ meaning ‘ford’.
Avenell is of Norman origin and derives from a place name in northern France. The place name includes Aviron, which is a contraction of “Ave Roxis” meaning ‘Rove’s river’. Averel, Averill, Avery, Edletter, Harfford, and Harfett derive from the old English names Aelfraed, Aethelred, and Aelfraed or Aelfrida. Mort is a French variant of the Old English name and derived from the city of Mortain in France.
These varied spellings, variants, and surnames illustrate that Arford was carried through many countries including Scotland, England, and France. This surname has maintained its original spelling throughout centuries of movement and relocation.
Famous people with the name Arford
- Terry A. Arford: has numerous credits as a Director of Photography, Art Director, Production Manager and Special Effects Supervisor on various commercial, music video and feature film projects.
- Eric Arford: Eric is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, having been drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.
- Esther Arford: Esther is a British artist and sculptor, whose work has been accepted into numerous art exhibitions around the world.
- Jonathan Arford: Jonathan is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco Giants from 1991 to 1997.
- Erika Arford: Erika is a former Nebraska Cornhuskers college soccer player, earning All-Big Ten second team honors in 2007.
- Youlanda Arford: Youlanda is an actress and singer who has appeared in numerous films and stage productions, most notably her starring role in the Broadway production of Hillbilly Heaven.
- Kevin Arford: Kevin is a computer programmer and animator who has worked on numerous major films, as well as on video games such as Assassin's Creed and Shadow of Mordor.
- Ralph Arford: Ralph is an inventor and engineer who has worked on over 50 patents, ranging from medical devices to sport equipment.
- James Arford: James is a professional dancer and choreographer who has worked on numerous television and stage productions, including Dancing with the Stars.
- Scott Arford: Scott is a singer and songwriter best known for his work on the reality television series The Voice.