Surname Standiford - Meaning and Origin

Standiford: What does the surname Standiford mean?

The surname Standiford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an old geographical location. It originates from Standeford, a parish in the diocese of Lichfield, near the town of Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, England. The name in Old English means 'stony ford', indicating a fording place in a river with a stony or rocky bottom. This suggests that the original bearers of the name Standiford lived near such a river crossing. Similar to many English surnames that were derived from the names of places, it's likely that an individual with this surname either lived in Standeford, came from there, or possibly owned estates there. It's important to note that surname meanings can vary based on geographical origin and historical context. After centuries of migrations and expansions, the Standiford name can be found in various parts of the world today, primarily in English-speaking countries.

Standiford: Where does the name Standiford come from?

The last name Standiford is still very common today, particularly in several areas of the United States. The largest concentration is in states on the East Coast, such as Maryland, where Standifords make up a sizable percentage of the population. The Standiford name is also widely represented in states surrounding Maryland, such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware.

In recent decades, however, Standifords have started to migrate to other parts of the country, such as Midwestern states like Illinois and Indiana. It’s also becoming more common in the western states, for example, California and Washington. It’s likely that the Standifords emigrated out of necessity due to higher incomes available in other states, as indicated by census records.

No matter where they are located, the Standifords continue to have a proud history and heritage tied to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, thanks to immigrant ancestors who sailed to America in the 1600s. They have retained their proud traditions in states all over the nation, while still keeping up with the times.

Variations of the surname Standiford

The surname Standiford is of English origin, derived from the Old English stan meaning “stone” and ford meaning “crossing”. Variant spellings of the name include Staniford, Staniforth, Stanneford, Stanniford, Stanifard, Stoniford, and Standeford.

The contemporary variant spellings of Standiford are a result of the pervasive phonetic adaptation of names over time, with the most common variants being Staniford and Staniforth. Staniford has the same meaning as Standiford, essentially denoting a family that held property, land or resided near a stone ford or crossing.

Variations of Standiford are seen as different surnames today, namely Staniford, Staniforth, Stanneford, Stanniford, Stanifard, Stoniford, and Standeford, each with the same derivation but take on distinct variations in spelling.

In the United States it has come to be recognized as a surname of its own, although in the United Kingdom, Standiford and Staniford are used interchangeably.

It is likely that when considering surnames of the same origin, other variants could exist. For instance, Standish, Stanfield, Stanford, Sanford and Standley all could potentially be linked to the family of Standiford, while less common surnames less closely related to the same origin may include Stanton, Staunton and Standbrook.

Overall, Standiford is a derivative of the Old English language, and has various forms in existence today. Any research done to get a greater understanding of the etymology and origin of the surname could provide interesting insights into an individual's ancestral history.

Famous people with the name Standiford

• Les Standiford: award-winning novelist, professor, and university administrator.
• Graham Standiford: educator, author, and researcher.
• Hugh Standiford: former NBA player for the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Gail Standiford: former political assistant to U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
• Heidi Standiford: actress and model.
• Charles Standiford: Army chaplain and recipient of the Bronze Star.
• Margaret Standiford: ballet dancer and choreographer.
• Richard Standiford: NASA astronaut and mission specialist on the STS-51I Discovery mission.
• Emily Standiford: drama and musical theater student.
• Tom Standiford: former basketball coach.

Other surnames

Standifer