Surname Whitford - Meaning and Origin
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Whitford: What does the surname Whitford mean?
The last name Whitford is an English name with uncertain origins. Some records suggest it may be derived from Middle English words meaning “white ford” or a “ford over a white river.” These references may suggest a place associated with the Whitfords. Alternatively, the name may be connected with other place names across England of similar spelling, like Whiteford and Whyteford. In this case, the name would likely be of Old English origin, composed of elements affixing “white” to an Old English word for “ford.”
Whitford is also an uncommon Scottish surname, derived from a personal name meaning “white ford” from the elements "whit" meaning white and "ford" meaning a river crossing. Early records of this name dispute the origin of this name, with some suggesting it was adopted as a name by one ascending to a new social class.
More recent times have seen Whitford become a fairly common surname, particularly across the United States. This may indicate the surname became more popular as the many Whitfords put down roots in the New World.
The last name Whitford remains mysterious but may derive from a geographical landmark or ancestral personal name. It has stood the test of time, becoming a common surname in both England and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisWhitford: Where does the name Whitford come from?
The last name Whitford is quite common today, mainly in the English-speaking world. It is particularly found in the United States where it is the 1,091st most common surname according to the US Census Bureau (2018). It is recognisable in many states, particularly concentrated in the Northeast, West and Midwest. Many states, including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan and Wisconsin, have significant Whitford populations.
The Whitford name had its origins in the Anglo-Saxon culture and is thought to mean 'white ford', perhaps referring to a place near a white-colored ford in a river or stream. Many places associated with the surname are still in existence, most famously Whitford in Wiltshire, England.
The Whitford surname is frequently found in family trees, particularly those stemming from the USA. It features in many memorial records, such as the Civil War soldier records for the Union Army, and can also be found in local archives and records.
Through extensive research, one can often discover links of the surname to not just the northeastern United States, but also England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and other European countries. As a result, Whitford is a truly global surname.
Variations of the surname Whitford
The variants, spellings and surnames of Whitford are sometimes spelled Whitforde, Whitworth, Wittenford, Witford, Whitforde, Whitfylt, Whytford, and Whitword. Whitford is an English and Scottish topographic surname, which is derived from a place name. The place name comes from an Old English word meaning “white ford”, and refers to a shallow crossing, which was usually covered by white water lilies.
Whitford is a common surname in England, Scotland, and Wales. It is also a relatively common Irish surname, which is spelled Whitfort. This spelling represents the Gaelic Ó hUaitfhirthe, which means “descendant of Uaitfhirte”. Uaitfhirte was a personal name derived from the Irish elements uait, which means “speech”, and fhirte, which means “wise”.
Variations of Whitford can also be found in other countries, such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. It is sometimes spelled Whitfurd, Witford, Wiltford, Wythford, and Whittford.
The surname Whitford can appear with different spelling variations throughout different parts of the English-speaking world. It is important to note, however, that all of the different spellings of this surname still refer to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Whitford
- Bradley Whitford: Actor from TV series The West Wing and Films Get Out and The Cabin in the Woods
- Stacey Whitford: Professional bodybuilder and winner of the 1992 IFBB Ms. International competition
- Paula Whitford: Professional wrestler and former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Diva
- Glenn Whitford: Actor, producer and composer
- Matthew Whitford: Actor who has appeared in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and The Waltons
- Rick Whitford: Major League Baseball player who was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1980
- Rob Whitford: Former professional BMX racer and current race team coach
- Ed Whitford: Professional tennis player, former U.S. National indoor champion, and 1985 Southern Open finalist
- James Whitford: Head coach for the men's basketball team at Ball State University
- Robert Whitford: Award-winning American science fiction writer