Surname Efird - Meaning and Origin
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Efird: What does the surname Efird mean?
The surname Efird is derived from the Old English language and is an Anglo-Saxon last name. The name can be traced back to the area of Kent in the UK, and is thought to have been brought over by Anglo-Saxon settlers during the 5th and 6th centuries. The surname is most common in the American states of North and South Carolina as well as Virginia.
The pronunciation of the surname is usually "ef-erd" and the spelling has been known to be influenced by numerous dialects and languages throughout English history, with variations including Efwire, Efere, Firde and Aefird.
The meaning of the name is reportedly derived from a river or ford (an area of shallow water) or from a location known by the same name. Further supporting the river origin theory is the fact that many of the immigrants with this surname who arrived in the New World were fishermen.
The “el-” prefix that appears in some variations of the Efird surname is likely derivative from the Old English “ael-” which referred to a eel. This may relate to occupations or interests related to the fishing industry, giving rise to surnames such as Efird or Efwire.
Overall, the Efird surname is an Anglo-Saxon name that can be traced back to locations in the UK, most commonly in the form of a river or ford. It is believed to be related to the fishing industry, and its spelling variations may hint to its etymological origins.
Order DNA origin analysisEfird: Where does the name Efird come from?
The last name Efird is a common and widely distributed name today. It is most commonly found in the southeastern United States, especially in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. In the United States, the surname is most prevalent in South Carolina, where it is ranked as the 39th most common name. It is also found in high concentrations in Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Beyond the United States, the Efird surname is also found in other English-speaking countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In the United Kingdom, the surname is most concentrated in England and Scotland, particularly in the East Midlands and North West regions of England.
The Efird name is thought to be a British surname of Welsh origin that dates back to the 12th century. It is derived from the Welsh personal name Efryn, a common Old Welsh name most likely derived from the Old Welsh word "efrych" meaning "fox". The Efird surname is a patronymic surname, meaning it was formed by adding an -s or -s suffixed to the father's given name.
Today, the Efird surname is still widely distributed around the English-speaking world. It is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the southeastern states, but is also found in other countries such as England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Efird
The surname Efird is believed to have originated in Great Britain and can be found in mostly the United States and Canada. Although not as common as some other surnames, some variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include: Afford, Efirde, Efurd, Eford, Efeed, Efford, Effird, Everard, and Efferd.
The Afford spelling is very common, especially in the United States, making it the most frequent variant of the Efird surname. This variant has an unclear origin, however, it could come from a pre-existing Anglo-Saxon spelling or from one of the Old English personal names Aethelweard or Aelfweard. It is thought to have derived from either a place name or a personal name.
The spelling of Efirde is also common, but it is more widely seen in southwestern North America and the Canadian Maritime Provinces. It is believed to have originated from Old English and may be derived from a place name.
The surnames Efurd, Eford, and Efeed are also spelled similarly to Efird, however, the origins and meanings of these variants are not as clear. They may have derived from Old English names or place names, similar to other variants and spellings.
The Efford and Effird spellings are thought to have originated from an Old English personal name Aelfweard and its variants. This name was common in early England and the spelling variations are thought to have come from northern England and the Southwest of the United States.
The Everard surname is thought to have come from an old Norse personal name, Eirikar, or the Old German name, Erhard. This variant has an unclear origin but is believed to have been used as a surname in the early part of the 13th century in England.
The final variant of the Efird surname is the Efferd spelling. This spelling is thought to have originated from the Middle High German name, Efford, which means “brave” or “valiant.” This spelling is not as common as some of the other ones, however, it can be found in the United States and Canada.
Overall, the Efird surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants can be found in England, the United States, and Canada and can trace their origins back to Old English and Norse personal names, as well as Middle High German.
Famous people with the name Efird
- Eric Efird: An American professional baseball player who has played in two major league seasons.
- Lou Efird: An American football linebacker who played in the National Football League for two seasons.
- Frank Efird: A Revolutionary War veteran and militia colonel who was awarded a pension by the U.S. government for his service.
- Harry Kenneth Efird: A former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Lester L. Efird: An American politician and lawyer who served as a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Fred “Fritz” Efird: An American violinist and conductor who was Principal Violinist with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra for more than 25 years.
- Bill Efird: A former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and a major general in the North Carolina Army National Guard.
- Laura Gardner Efird: A retired American diplomat who served 20 years in the United States Foreign Service.
- Julia Efird: An American women's suffragist and advocate for better working conditions.
- Charles R. Efird: An American physician and president of Lenoir-Rhyne College from 1952 to 1970.