Surname Delaford - Meaning and Origin

Delaford: What does the surname Delaford mean?

The surname Delaford is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. It is a toponymic surname, a type of surname based on a place name. Typically, it is derived from a place called 'Delaford' in the United Kingdom, which may possibly be interpreted as "of Delaford".

The name Delaford itself can be broken down into two parts. 'Dela' is of Old English origin meaning 'from the' and 'ford' is a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across. In ancient times, people often took their surname from a local geographical feature, salient landmarks, such as hill, streams, church, or types of tree.

So, the surname Delaford may suggest that the initial bearers of the name resided near or by a ford or a river-crossing. However, the exact significance of the surname will be specific to the family history of those who bore it. It is important to discover individual family documents, regional history, and family traditions to learn more about the specific meaning of the last name Delaford.

Delaford: Where does the name Delaford come from?

The surname Delaford is considered English in origin. Specifically, it is considered locational, derived from an existing place name. This place name is potentially De La Ford, which, when translated, means 'of the ford' or 'from the ford'. Fords were shallow areas of river that could be crossed without a ferry or bridge, and many English surnames are derived from such geographical locations. Often, individuals were given or adopted such surnames upon leaving their home town and moving elsewhere, as a means to identify their place of origin.

As with many historic English surnames, Delaford is not common today in any specific region. The migration of people over centuries, in combination with the changing nature of surnames (due to factors such as misspellings, translations and the anglicisation of foreign names), means that the distribution of such names tends to be sporadic. Therefore, individuals bearing the Delaford surname could potentially be located anywhere in the world, however its prevalence is likely higher in countries with a significant history of English immigration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Delaford

The surname Delaford is quite unique and it appears there may not be too many variants or different spellings of it, likely due to its specific geographical origin. This surname seems to be of specific English locality origin from Delaford in Buckinghamshire, England. So, there may not be many variants or alternative spellings of this surname.

However, one possible variant could be De La Ford. This version is separated into discrete words, but has the same phonetic delivery. D'LaFord or D'elaford could also be possible variants often seen in surnames of this type developed from noble or aristocratic titles.

For surnames of the same origin, you may consider looking at other surnames from Buckinghamshire or that come from geographic features (like a ford).

However, please note that surname origins vary widely from case to case and variations can occur based on a number of factors, including regional dialects, literacy levels, and changes over time. It's always best to conduct individual research or consult a genealogical expert for the most accurate information.

Famous people with the name Delaford

• Michael Delaford: an English actor best known for his appearances in movies like “Short Sharp Shock” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
• Tyler Delaford: an American racing driver most famous for being a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion.
• Benjamin Delaford: an English painter and printmaker whose works have been displayed at renowned galleries like the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Gallery of Ireland.
• Christina Delaford: a Scottish-born author well known for her works of historical and romance fiction set in 19th century and World War II-era Britain.
• Sir William Delaford: an English politician and noted supporter of the abolition of the slave trade, who served as the Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in 1746.
• Debra Delaford: a Canadian Olympic snowboarder and two-time X Games silver medalist.
• Jeremiah Delaford: an American religious leader and abolitionist who helped establish the first integrated schools in his home state of Maryland.
• John Delaford: a New Zealand alpine skier who competed in two Winter Olympics, taking home silver in slalom at the 1972 Games.
• Thomas Delaford: an English lawyer and naval officer who served as the Member of Parliament for Queenborough in 1741.
• Sir Eric Delaford: a British baron who served as a noted minister in several Prime Ministers’ cabinets over the span of many decades, and was especially known for his contributions to foreign policy.

Other surnames

DelafondDelafort