Surname Hansford - Meaning and Origin
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Hansford: What does the surname Hansford mean?
The surname Hansford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, primarily found in Southern England. It is a locational surname derived from any one of the places named Handforth in Cheshire or Hansford in Dorset. The name comes from the Old English words "heah" which means "high" and "ford" which means "a river crossing," so it can be interpreted as "high river crossing" or "ford on high ground". Therefore, a person who lived near or worked around such a geographical feature might have been known by this name. This surname has gone through various spellings over centuries, some of them being Handford, Hanford, and Hensford. Similar to other surnames of the period, the deeper origins of this name can get lost due to the lack of standardization in spelling, particularly in middle age documents. Nevertheless, the surname Hansford links individuals back to their ancestral roots in the Anglo-Saxon societies of Britain. The name is popular as both a first name and a last name.
Order DNA origin analysisHansford: Where does the name Hansford come from?
The surname Hansford is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from an Old English personal name, composed of the elements "hoh", which means 'ridge', and "ford", which refers to 'a ford', a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across. The name first appeared in records in the 13th century.
Hansford can also be a locational surname referring to people who lived near a high ford or a ford marked with a sign in the shape of a cockerel. There are several places in England named Hansford, making it likely that the name first originated here.
Today, it is most common in the United States and England. Particularly in the US, the name can be found concentrated in states like Kentucky, West Virginia, Texas and Utah. Meanwhile in the UK, Dorset has the highest number of individuals bearing the Hansford surname. Over time, the name has also spread to other English-speaking countries, such as Australia and Canada.
Variations of the surname Hansford
The surname Hansford is of English origin. It is a variant of the name "Hansford" which is a locational surname pertaining to a place in England.
Other spelling variants or closely related surnames from the same linguistic root can include Handford, Hansforde, Handsforde, Hansfurd, and Hanssford. The variations in these names may have come about due to spelling errors or changes in writing styles over years or across different regions.
In terms of surnames derived from the same root, "Hand" or "Hands" could be possible variants, referring to the Old English term for "handsome or handy". The term "ford" is also an Old English term for a shallow part of a river or stream allowing one to walk or ride across which is a common component in English surnames.
It's important to remember that the spelling of surnames has often changed over centuries. Official records often contain a wealth of spelling variations and modern surnames can be traced back to an original spelling variant with the original meaning or location reference.
Famous people with the name Hansford
- Betty Hansford: An American actress known for her work in the films "The Treasure of Lost Canyon" and "The I Don't Care Girl".
- Danny Hansford: A Savannah, Georgia hustler who was a key figure in the murder case that became the basis for John Berendt's best-selling book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil". Danny was murdered by antiques dealer Jim Williams, a case that gained nationwide attention in the US.
- Scott Hansford: An Australian professional racing car driver.
- Josh Hansford: An Australian rules footballer who was the number one overall pick in the 1998 AFL draft.
- Nathaniel L. Hansford: An experienced and well-known workers' compensation attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Ted Hansford: A former English cricketer who played domestically for Cambridgeshire.
- Jaimee-Lee Hansford: Miss Grand Australia 2020, she also represented Australia at Miss Grand International. Please note that certain figures may not be "famous" in a traditional sense, but they have notable positions or roles in their respective fields.