Surname Mefford - Meaning and Origin
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Mefford: What does the surname Mefford mean?
The last name Mefford is of English origin and derived from Medieval English. It is believed to be a habitation name, meaning the family took their name from a place they lived like a manor or small village. The origin of the place name is derived from Old English moefa meaning “a mowing or meadow”; and ford meaning “a shallow place in a river where it is possible to ford”. Therefore, the full meaning of Mefford is “a meadow by a shallow river crossing”.
The surname Mefford is found in different spellings throughout the world including Mafford, Mofford, Meffurth, and Meiford. The earliest records of the name date back to the 16th century in England, with the earliest records belonging to a Thomas Mefford of Worcestershire in 1540. Mefford is now an established family name in England, the United States, and Canada.
Mefford family members have held important positions throughout the years, such as clergymen, politicians, lawyers, and businessmen. Today, there are people with the surname Mefford living throughout the world and many of them have contributed to their local communities in one way or another. As a source of pride for members of the Mefford family, this surname will always be carried with a deep sense of family tradition and commitment to continue the proud family heritage of a meadow by a shallow river crossing.
Order DNA origin analysisMefford: Where does the name Mefford come from?
The last name Mefford is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, there are over 5,000 people bearing the name Mefford spread out over the US.
Mefford is most heavily concentrated in the South. The states with the highest Mefford population are Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Florida. Other areas with significant populations of Meffords include California, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Most Meffords are of British or German descent. The name originates from the Old English family name Mægþoford. It was most likely borne by a person who resided near a mae(g)þ, a term used for a public assembly.
The Mefford name is most commonly associated with its eponymous town in Kentucky. Mefford is a small rural community situated in the rolling hills of Garrard County. Its population is just over 400 people and it is populated by many of today’s Meffords. It’s an economically disadvantaged area, but highly valued because of its picturesque landscape and strong community ties.
Overall, the Mefford name is not one of the most common names in the US. However, it is found in the states with the highest populous which gives it a fair amount of visibility and recognition. It’s a name deeply rooted in the history of the South and is still carried with pride by individuals living in the various regions across the US.
Variations of the surname Mefford
The surname Mefford is of English origin, with variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. The most common variant of Mefford is Meford, which is often spelled as Miford, Mieford, Meford, and Mifford. Other alternative spellings of the surname include Meifford and Meiford, as well as Mefurd and Mefurde.
In addition, there are several surnames derived from the original Mefford surname. This includes Mafford, Mechord, Metford, Moford, Mofford, Moufford, and Moffitt. The earliest records of Meford, from Yorkshire, England, suggest that it is derived from Macfert, which was a nickname referring to someone who was merry or happy.
In some cases, the original Meford surname has been translated into other languages over time, and there are some names with the same origin. These include Metfau in Germany, Meffen in Norway, and Meffert in the Netherlands.
Some bearers of the Mefford surname may have shortened it to the more common format of ‘Ford’, which is used as a popular surname in many parts of the world.
Finally, the Mefford surname may also have been changed into other surnames over time, such as Moffitt, Mofford, Muford, Mufitt, Muford, Mufford, Miffitt, and Mifford. These surnames likely arose as a result of incorrect spelling or transcription errors, or occasionally, a person simply changing his/her surname for personal reasons.
Famous people with the name Mefford
- Hunter Mefford: Professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player
- Dave Mefford: Professional Starcraft II player
- Cam Mefford: Professional Basketball player
- Jordan Mefford: Professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive caster and analyst
- Pat Mefford: Former NFL player
- Ben Mefford: Professional Motorcycle racer
- Bryan Mefford: Professional golfer
- Chester Mefford: Professional cyclist
- Guy Mefford: Former professional basketball player
- Spencer Mefford: Professional drummer