Surname Herford - Meaning and Origin
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Herford: What does the surname Herford mean?
The surname Herford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from place names in England. There are several theories regarding its specific meaning. A commonly accepted interpretation is that it comes from the Old English words "her(e)" meaning army and "ford" which means a shallow place in a body of water like a river that can be crossed by wading or driving, suggesting a place where an army crossed a river. This may refer to strategic locations used as fording points by military troops in ancient England. It is also said to be related to the county of Herefordshire in England, which literally means 'ford suitable for an army'. As with many surnames, over time and with migration, the name may have been spelled differently, resulting in variations such as Hereford, Harford, and Hertford. Today, individuals with the Herford surname can be found in many parts of the world, though it remains most common in the UK, signifying their ancestral connections to these geographic locations.
Order DNA origin analysisHerford: Where does the name Herford come from?
The surname Herford is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have geographic roots in the England city Hertford or Hereford. The name Hertfordshire comes from "hart's ford," interpreting to "a crossing point for stags," whereas Hereford translates to "old army ford," reflecting the area's history as a military crossing. In both cases, the derivation is from the Old English pre 7th Century words "heorot" or "here" meaning stag and army, respectively, and "ford," indicating a shallow river crossing.
Today, Herford is common in English-speaking countries, with substantial concentrations in England, the United States, Australia, and Canada. In England, it is particularly prevalent around Hertfordshire and Herefordshire areas, aligning with the name's historical roots. Besides, the Herford surname has spread around the globe due to migration and colonization, explaining its prevalence in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Herford
Herford is a less common English surname that could have undergone various spellings and variations due to regional dialects and phonetic spelling. It's derived from a place name, suggesting that individuals originally given this name hailed from a location called Herford or Harteford.
Various spelling variants or similar surnames might include Harford, Hartford, Herfort, Hertford, Herferd, and Heaford. Sometimes, it could also appear as Heartford or Hareford. Variations in spelling generally arose in times when literacy was low and thus names were primarily spoken rather than written. Because of this, many surnames were spelled whichever way seemed most phonetically correct at the time.
Moreover, bear in mind that the evolution and variation of surnames is a complex process influenced by many factors. Migration is one such influence, as people moving to different regions or countries may adapt their surnames to fit the local language or customs.
Moreover, Herford might be related to the German city of Herford, and people moving from that city might take the place name as a surname. In such a case, the name could have been Germanised or Anglicised into forms like Hertford or Herzog or remain as Herford.
Famous people with the name Herford
- Christopher Herford: British film, television and stage actor.
- Patrick Herford: English professional footballer.
- William Herford: British actor, producer, director, cinematographer and writer.
- Michael Herford: English photographer.
- Edward Herford: British actor, most known for his role as Inspector Dixon in the series Dixon of Dock Green.
- Rosemary Herford: British actress, director, writer and producer.
- Simon Herford: British classical and modern dancer.
- Terence Herford: English actor, dancer and choreographer.
- Hilary Herford: British journalist and television presenter.
- Mary Herford: American singer and voice actress.