Surname Offord - Meaning and Origin
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Offord: What does the surname Offord mean?
The last name Offord is a habitational or locational surname derived from Old English. It is derived from the words ‘oford’ which mean ‘ford’ (a shallow point in a river that can be crossed by foot), and ‘off(e)’ which indicates a distance or movement away, such as 'outside the gate'. This suggests that originally, the surname was a reference to someone who lived near a ford, or by a crossing point.
In a heraldic context, the Offord surname was associated with the river crossing as a metaphor for offering defence. These ideas of loyalty and protection are associated with knights of the Middle Ages and with battle-readiness. The family’s coat of arms features a red chevron and a set of three gold martlets, which are birds thought to be symbolic of duty and power.
The last name Offord would have been first adopted as a surname in the 12th and 13th centuries. At that time, the spelling Offord would have been used in most written records. Over time, the spelling varied as it was phonetically recorded.
The Offords have a long history of nobility and distinction, The name is associated with aristocratic families. Today, the name is widely distributed in the UK, most particularly in the East of England, where the surname is most common.
Order DNA origin analysisOfford: Where does the name Offord come from?
The surname Offord is common today mainly in North America, particularly in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It has also appeared with limited frequency in other countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
This name could have potentially originated in several different countries, given its popular use today across a wide range of countries. It is believed to have possibly come from England, with its first appearance in records being in the 12th century. In this time, 'Offord' was used to denote an area or district near a ford or crossing point, or even as a term for a river-crossing itself.
Later, the name spread to other countries as people with the surname immigrated. In the 17th century, records began to appear in North America. Records in Canada began in the late 18th century, while records in the United States appear from the early 19th century.
Today, the last name Offord is a fairly frequently used surname, particularly in the United States and Canada. It is also commonly found in Mexico, where Offords were among the first settlers of New Spain in the 16th century.
Additionally, it is popular in other countries such as Great Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, although not as commonly as in North America. Overall, the Offord surname is found widely across the globe today.
Variations of the surname Offord
The surname Offord has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Variations include Andrew, Androw, Andrewes, Androwes, Ankers, and Anscombe. Spellings include Offard, Ofard, Offord, Offordd, Offerd, Ofort, and Optard. Related surnames are Akeson, Akeyon, Akesson, Akinson, Oakeson, Oakey, and Oaks.
The surname originated from Normandy, France and references the places where people who carried the name lived and worked. The meaning of the name is derived from the Old French words “au” and “fort,” meaning “at the ford.” It was a reference to a location where a ford, or shallow crossing, was located. The name was popularized in England when the Normans invaded.
Over time, spellings of the surname Offord have changed due to the practice of spelling words phonetically. This practice was common when there were no real standards for spelling in the Middle Ages. Some of the variations of spelling included dropping the final ‘d’ and replacing it with ‘t’ or ‘th.’ The spelling of the surname is now spelled in many different ways due to the many spelling variations over time.
In addition to its many different spellings, the surname Offord has also seen a variety of related surnames emerge over time. These names come from areas in England, such as Surrey, Hampshire, Cambridgeshire, and Worcestershire, where people with the surname “Offord” often resided. With so many different spellings and related surnames, it can be difficult to trace a familial line for people with the surname Offord today.
Famous people with the name Offord
- Norman (“Nick”) Offord: a British economist and philosopher
- Keith Offord: British classicist
- Andrea Offord: professional dancer and former Miss UK
- Tazmin Offord: Radio Broadcaster
- Amelia Offord: Actress
- David Offord: Musician and composer 7.iedras Offord: Radio Broadcaster
- Lyn Offord: Actress
- Richie Offord: Guitarist
- Jim Offord: Canadian politician
- Chris Offord: British actor
- Alex Offord: Dr and social entrepreneur
- Richard Offord: British composer
- Ryan Offord: British film producer
- Steve Offord: former NFL Linebacker
- Kira Offord: artist and photographer
- Tom Offord: British poet and author
- Kaitlyn Offord: distance runner
- Harry Offord: Chef and restaurant owner
- Michael Offord: Curator and Visual arts expert