Surname Foord - Meaning and Origin

Foord: What does the surname Foord mean?

The last name Foord is of English origin and is primarily associated with various regions within the United Kingdom. The name hails from an Old English term "ford,” used to designate a shallow area in a river or stream that could be crossed by walking or riding. Therefore, the surname Foord was likely used to refer to someone who lived near such a crossing. Alternatively, Foord could have been an occupational surname for a keeper or user of the ford. Variations of the name include Ford, Forde, and Foard. It should be noted that while the surname Foord implies a geographic origin, it's not associated with any specific region, town, or city in the UK or elsewhere, as fordings are common in varied locations. It is worth noting that the surname can be seen in other English-speaking regions due to migration and Anglo-Saxon influence.

Foord: Where does the name Foord come from?

The surname Foord originated in England, and more specifically the region of Sussex. It evolved from the Old English term "ford," used to denote a shallow part of a river or stream where it can be crossed by wading. Originally, Foord may have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a ford or perhaps a trade name for someone who operated a ford. There are also suggestions that Foord might have been an occupational name for someone who guarded a ford. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, many English families adopted surnames, and the name Foord grew in popularity during the subsequent centuries. Today, although Foord can be found in various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora, its usage remains most common in England. Specifically, it is seen prevalently in the south and southeast of England. Some concentration can also be found in Australia, United States, Canada and South Africa. The variations of the surname include Ford, Forde, Foord among others.

Variations of the surname Foord

The surname Foord originates from the Old English term "ford," which means a shallow area in a river or stream that could be crossed by wading or on horseback. There are several spelling variations and surnames that have the same or similar origin.

Some of the most common variants include: Ford, Forde, Foard, Fford, Foorde, Fowrd, and Foord. Ford is the most widely used spelling variation, while others such as Foard or Fford are less common.

There are also some surnames of the same origin that are derived from specific geographical locations, referring to people living close to a ford. Some examples include: Oxford (from Oxenford meaning "ford for oxen"), Twyford (meaning "double ford"), and Ashford (meaning "ford by an ash tree").

Internationally, there are several variants based on the local language and pronunciation, such as Affortunato in Italy, Fuhrmann and Furt in Germany, and Pfordte in Germany.

Despite all of the different variations and spellings, these surnames all share the same origin, underlining a common ancestry linked to a geographical feature – the ford.

Famous people with the name Foord

• Stephanie Foord: She is a prominent television journalist and sports anchor in Edmonton, Canada.
• Candice Foord: A famous South African environmentalist and nature conservationist.
• Martin Foord: A well-known UK-based cybersecurity expert.
• Christina Foord: A famous botanist who has documented flora in Europe and Asia during the 19th century.
• Willy Foord: An actor known for his role in the 1947 film "Odd Man Out."
• Simon Foord: An award-winning production designer for several Hollywood blockbusters.
• Benjamin Foord: A retired English professional footballer.
• Ken Foord: A professional cricketer who played in Australia's domestic cricket competitions.
• Jaiyah Saelua: Born as Johnny Saelua Foord, she is an American Samoan soccer player and the first transgender player to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
• Michael Foord: An English programmer renowned for his work in Python programming and author of 'IronPython in Action.'
• Daisy Foord: A child actress in the late 1890s who later became a pianist.
• Bart Foord: An Emmy award-winning producer and anchor. Please note that these individuals vary greatly in their degree of fame, with some being more locally or industry-specifically known.

Other surnames

Foorde