Surname Sifford - Meaning and Origin
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Sifford: What does the surname Sifford mean?
The surname Sifford is of English origin. The exact meaning of Sifford is unclear as many surnames have evolved and changed in their meanings over centuries. In certain cases, Sifford is believed to be a location-based surname denoting individuals who came from a place called Sifford in England. In other cases, it may be derived from Old English personal names or nicknames. It is also thought to mean "sea-farer" or "someone who travels by sea" from the Old English words 'sǣ' meaning sea and 'faran' meaning to go or travel. However, specific meanings associated with this last name have been lost over time or varied significantly in different regions and families. Today, Sifford is used simply as a family name without any specific denoted meaning. Notably, a famous bearers of the last name is Charlie Sifford, often referred to as the Jackie Robinson of golf, who helped to desegregate the Professional Golfers’ Association.
Order DNA origin analysisSifford: Where does the name Sifford come from?
The last name Sifford is most common in the United States today. As of the most recent census data from 2018, it was most frequently seen in North Carolina, with the highest number of Siffords being located in Charlotte. It is also fairly common in South Carolina and Virginia, and scattered throughout Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, and other states.
The Sifford name has Germanic origins. According to family history records, Siffords first appeared in America in the 17th century, when the Siffords and Sieffords came over from England and Ireland. There they established a presence in South Carolina and other parts of the southeastern US. As they moved around the area, Siffords spread throughout the states in the region.
Siffords have an interesting history. Many were farmers and planters, while others became politicians, land owners, and business leaders. The most famous Sifford was probably golfer Charlie Sifford, who was the first African American on the Professional Golfers Association Tour. His story is an inspiration for many Americans today.
If you were to look into your family tree, there’s a good chance you might find the last name of Sifford in your ancestry. If you have a Sifford in your family tree, you and your relatives could take pride in this very American last name that is still common today.
Variations of the surname Sifford
The surname Sifford has a number of variants, spellings, and other surnames that are derived from the same origin. The most common variant of Sifford is Sydford and other forms include Siferd, Syford, Sidford, Sideford, Sidferd, Sifferd, Syferd, and Seifert.
The origin of the name is thought to go as far back as the 8th century and is believed to have come from a town or place name in West Sussex, England called Sydford. The town was likely named after a saint of that time, and the surname could also have been given to those who lived in or near this location when surnames first originated.
The other surnames derived from Sifford are most likely related to the people who moved away from the area to places like Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. These variations include Seefort, Sefort, Syfert, Syferth, Zipfert, Seboldt, Siboldt, and Sibodt.
Many of the contemporary bearers of the surname Sifford trace their origins to the immigrant ancestor that made their way to the United States sometime in the 1700 and 1800s. There are also many people with this surname in England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Regardless of the variant spelling, the surname Sifford is of English origin and has a long history of being passed down from generation to generation. The original place name of Sydford has been a reminder of this surname’s origins for centuries.
Famous people with the name Sifford
- Charlie Sifford (1922–2015): the first African-American inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
- Willie Sifford (1935–2009): American musician, most notable for being a member of the funk band Mandrill.
- Homero Sifford (1934–2004): prominent Argentinian footballer and coach.
- Drunken Slurps Sifford (born 1982): American filmmaker notable for his independent short films.
- Lee Sifford (born 1952): American former wrestler, most well-known for his tenure in the WWF.
- Bradley Sifford (born 1983): English professional footballer currently playing for Wycombe Wanderers.
- John Sifford (born 1970): American former Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres.
- Merry Sifford (1922–2007): American Broadway actress, most well-known for her roles in Streetcar Named Desire and Chicago.
- Robert Sifford (1933–2015): American multi-award winning architect noted for his design of many historic buildings.
- William Sifford (1913–2007): an American cowboy and rancher, and the first black rodeo champion.