Surname Kepford - Meaning and Origin
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Kepford: What does the surname Kepford mean?
The surname Kepford has a fairly common origin. It is thought to have originated in the early 14th century (12th to 14th centuries) in England. It is an English locational surname, derived from the towns of Kepford, located in the counties of Lincolnshire and Worcestershire. The word "ford" in the name is derived from Old English, meaning “the shallow part of a river where it can be crossed (by fording it)”.
Likewise, the word "kep" in the name is derived from the Old English word "ceoppa", meaning "trader" or "merchant". The name Kepford would have been used to describe a person who lived by, or owned, a ford where traders passed by. This would typically have been near a river or a lake. The name could also be attributed to a person who lived by or was associated with a ferry that operated on one of these waterways.
The surname Kepford is also associated with a few notable historical people, including Sir James Kepford, a member of the court of Henry VIII from 1545-1548; and Sir Thomas Kepford, a knight of the Order of the Garter from 1588-1606.
Overall, the surname Kepford is derived from Old English words, and refers to a person who was associated with a ford or ferry near a river or lake. It is also associated with a few notable historical figures.
Order DNA origin analysisKepford: Where does the name Kepford come from?
The last name Kepford is a relatively uncommon name in the United States of America today. The name is thought to have originated as an English surname, with roots in Norfolk or Cambridgeshire, England, particularly around the towns of King's Lynn and Wisbech. Over the centuries, the Kepford surname spread to other countries, including the United States.
In the United States, most people bearing this name can be found in states such as Missouri, Illinois, Arizona, New York, Minnesota, and Ohio. Most Kepford’s living in the United States today can trace their ancestry back to 17th-century settlers from England or 19th-century immigrants from Ireland, Wales or Scotland. Those of Irish descent typically lived in the eastern states, while the Welsh and Scottish settled in the Midwestern states. The Kepford last name is also found in smaller numbers in Canada and Australia, with its earliest settlers arriving from England.
Regardless of its country of origin, the Kepford last name is a marker of persistence, strength, and courage, as the people who have held this name have courageously and bravely faced all of life’s challenges, becoming successful and often quite prosperous. Although uncommon today, the Kepford lastname is likely to continue to endure for many more centuries to come.
Variations of the surname Kepford
The surname Kepford is derived from an Old English name. There are many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Kippford, Kippsford, Keppford, Keppsford, Kippfard, Keppfard, Kepfard, Keapfard, Keapford, Keppard, Kippard, Kypford, Kyppford, and many more.
Some variants and surnames of Kepford are spelled differently but sound the same. These include Kiffsord, Kapsford, Kiftford, Kyp shoulders, and Keford.
Some variants of the surname Kepford denote a specific location of origin. Examples include Keppard in Suffolk, Kepperton in Abbeyside, Kippsford in Worcestershire, and Keppenford in Dorset.
The most common spelling variation is Kippford, which is particularly prevalent in Scotland. A handful of variants such as Kiffsord and Kiftford are mainly found in counties near Scotland, while others such as Kyppford and Keford are more common in England.
Kepford is an uncommon surname, and is unique in that it is not easily linked to any particular geographic region. It is possible that the name was a topographical name used to identify someone who lived near a ford.
Many of the variants of the surname Kepford have been recorded in local parish and county records, providing a longer history of the surname and its many variants. By tracing these links, it is possible to gain a greater understanding of the evolution of the surname and its meaning.
Famous people with the name Kepford
- Zach Kepford: American actor who is best known for his roles in the films Baby Driver and Alien: Covenant.
- Brad Kepford: professional golf player who was a member of the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour.
- Neil Kepford: former U.S. soccer midfielder who played for several clubs in the MLS and NASL in the 1990s.
- Mike Kepford: professional wrestler who is a former Canadian Wrestling Federation heavyweight champion.
- Louis Kepford: An American artist whose works concentrated on impressionistic landscapes of his native Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
- Chris Kepford: broadcaster and metalcore musician who is best known for his work on extreme metal radio show called Metal Madness.
- Paul Kepford: English football club manager who is best known for his time at Watford F.C.
- Peter Kepford: American digital media entrepreneur who is the co-founder and CEO of SmartyPup, an online learning experience that teaches children the fundamentals of computer science.
- Joe Kepford: American game designer and author who is best known for his work on role-playing games, including Dungeons & Dragons and Ironclaw.
- Luther Kepford: founder of Kepford Enterprises, a Washington D.C.-based architecture and construction firm.