Surname Stafford - Meaning and Origin
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Stafford: What does the surname Stafford mean?
The last name Stafford is of English origin and is considered a locational surname, referencing the place from which the individual or family originates. In this case, Stafford refers to the county town of Staffordshire, located in the West Midlands region of England. The name Stafford is derived from the Old English words "Stæfford", where "stæf" translates to "wharf" and "ford" means a shallow river crossing. Therefore, the name can be translated to mean 'the ford by a landing place'. This likely indicates that the original bearers of the name lived or worked near such a location. This is one of the oldest English surnames, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The county town of Stafford itself is steeped in history, with the historic Stafford Castle overlooking the town, symbolizing the rich heritage attached to this surname. The name notably held a significant place in British history, with the title 'Duke of Buckingham' also held by the noble House of Stafford in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisStafford: Where does the name Stafford come from?
The last name Stafford is a popular surname in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In England, it is found mainly in the Midlands and Northwest England. In Scotland, it is concentrated primarily in the Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen areas. In Wales, the surname is again found mainly in the North. In the Republic of Ireland, it is most commonly encountered in the counties of Galway and Cork.
Within the United States, the last name Stafford is found predominantly in the Southern States, particularly in Virginia and Texas. It is also quite common in the Northeast, particularly in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The name also has a strong presence in California and Hawaii.
Today, the last name Stafford is still quite popular in the UK, Ireland, and many parts of the United States. It is likely that it originated from a place called Stafford in the UK. People with this surname are likely descendants of English or Irish immigrants who settled in various parts of the US, Britain, and Ireland during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Stafford
The surname Stafford is an occupational toponymic surname of English origin. It is derived from a place name, as the surname originated from people who came from the county town of Staffordshire in England.
Variants of Stafford include Staffard, Stafferd, Staffor, Staford, Staffort, Stafferton, Staferton and Stafird. Spellings of Stafford include Staford, Stafird, Staffird and Staffurd.
Stafford is a fairly common surname, and the descendants of the surname Stafford have created many variations of the name. For example, variants of Stafford include Stapford, Stavor, Stawford, Stofford, Stefford, Stepford, Staffords andStaffordshire.
Surnames of similar origin to Stafford include Hilling, Miles, Bagnall, Benton, Bevington, Boswell, Corfield, Gilman, Hodson, Kitson, Mayo, Rowbottom, Stanway, Sykes, and Woolley. These surnames are linked to the county of Staffordshire, and are similar to Stafford, as Stafford is derived from the place name of Staffordshire.
Overall, the surname Stafford is fairly common, and is known for its link tothe county of Staffordshire in England, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin to it.
Famous people with the name Stafford
- Matthew Stafford: NFL Quarterback
- Kim Stafford: Poet
- Sir Richard Stafford-Cripps: Politician
- Katherine Stafford: Actress
- Melvin Stafford: Olympic gold medalist
- Roberta Stafford: Actress
- Tracey Ullman: Comedian and Actress
- Jay Stafford: Singer
- Sir Edward Stafford: New Zealand Attorney General
- Arthur S. Stafford: Politician
- Sir Thomas Stafford: British diplomat
- Darland Stafford: Comedian
- Sir Percy Stafford: Australian Politician
- Linell Smith Stafford: Poet and Professor
- Rufus W. Stafford: Politician
- Athene Stafford: Anthropologist
- Robert Stafford: Politician
- Miranda Stafford: Bass Guitarist
- Dave Stafford: Baseball Player
- Earl Stafford: Businessman
- Harold Stafford: Politician
- William Stafford: Poet
- Nell Staff Stafford: Professor of Humanities
- Walwyn Stafford: Actor
- Michael Stafford: Musician