Surname Hawkford - Meaning and Origin
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Hawkford: What does the surname Hawkford mean?
The last name Hawkford is of English origin and is derived from two Old English elements; hafoc, meaning "hawk," and ford, meaning "ford," or shallow place in a river that can be crossed by wading. This suggests that Hawkford was likely an English habitational name, indicating a family from one of the places named with these Old English elements.
The creek, river, or crossing of the river where birds of prey were commonly found, likely gave rise to the family name and those who originally bore it. It is possible that Hawkford was a local name for a parish or other prominent geographic features.
The surname Hawkford likely begins to appear in surviving records in the late 17th century, when the use of hereditary surnames was becoming more common in England. Hawkford often appears in the records of English emigrants who left for other parts of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the surname Hawkford is most commonly found around the English Channel.
Order DNA origin analysisHawkford: Where does the name Hawkford come from?
Today, the last name Hawkford is most commonly found in England, particularly in the South East and East Midlands. While it is not particularly common, it is still to be found in urban and rural communities. In some cases, families with this last name have been present in a local area for several centuries.
The origins of the last name Hawkford are uncertain. Some believe it is derived from Old English words, while others suggest it may have originated from the French. It is also possible it was formed by combining the two names Hawker and Ford.
A number of Hawkfords have served in the military over the centuries. During World War I and II, soldiers with the last name Hawkford saw action in various battles and campaigns.
The Hawkford name has all but disappeared in some regions. It is no longer a common surname in Scotland, where it was once widely distributed. The Hawkford family line most likely ended in Scotland and the descendants of the family were scattered to other parts of the UK.
Despite its decline in some areas, the last name Hawkford can still be found in England today. The families who carry the name, while few and far between, continue to be proud of their name and carry on the legacy of their ancestral line.
Variations of the surname Hawkford
The surname Hawkford has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include, Hawford, Hawkinsford, Hewkinsford, Huckinsford, Hitchford and Hawkesford.
Hawford is the most common spelling variation of the name Hawkford. It originates from the Old English "hafoc", which means ‘hawk’. This is especially true when the name is found in the West Midlands region.
Hawkinsford is another spelling variation of the name and it is found mainly in the North of England. This variation is derived from two elements, the first being "Hawkin", which is a diminutive of the name "Haw", and the second being "ford", an old English word that referred to a shallow body of water used for crossing.
Hewkinsford is a variant of the name that is typically found in the area Yorkshire. This variation is derived from the Early Middle English "huu", meaning "hollow", and "ford".
Huckinsford is another variation of the surname Hawkford and is most commonly found in the West Country. This variation is derived from an old English word "huga", which means a large forest, combined with "ford".
Hitchford is another spelling variation of the surname and can be found mainly in the South East England area. This surname is derived from an old English word meaning "swift ford".
Finally, Hawkesford is the final spelling variation of the surname and it is commonly found in the East Midlands region. This variation of the surname is derived from the Old English "hafoc", which means ‘hawk’ combined with "ford".
Famous people with the name Hawkford
- Guy Hawkford: renowned British television director.
- Leslie Hawkford: critically acclaimed American actor.
- Mike Hawkford: successful American music producer.
- Sandra Hawkford: acclaimed international sculptor.
- John Hawkford: well-known urban art curator.
- Jill Hawkford: popular Canadian photographer.
- Ava Hawkford: innovative fashion designer.
- Austin Hawkford: celebrated American architect.
- Sam Hawkford: distinguished English writer.
- Luke Hawkford: award-winning Australian painter.