Surname Heryford - Meaning and Origin
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Heryford: What does the surname Heryford mean?
The last name Heryford is of English origin and is believed to be a habitational or locational surname. Such surnames were usually taken from the place where the original bearer lived or held land. However, there is not much readily available specific information or an established meaning associated directly with the surname 'Heryford'. It could potentially be linked with Hereford, a town in England which name means "old road crossing" or "old ford". However, variations in spelling of English last names were quite common due to the lack of standardization in early English spellings. This means Heryford may have changed over centuries and may have its roots in a slightly different sounding name. Like all surnames, specific meaning and origins can be most accurately identified through personalized genealogical research.
Order DNA origin analysisHeryford: Where does the name Heryford come from?
The surname Heryford is considered a variant of the English surname Hereford, which is of geographical origin. It originated from Herefordshire, a county in England. The name is derived from "hare", an Old English term for military forces, and "ford", a shallow place in a river or stream where one could cross by foot. The first recorded spelling of the family name, as Hereford, dates back to 1168 during the reign of King Henry II.
Today, the last name Heryford is not particularly common in any specific geographic location. However, like many surnames with British roots, it may be likely to find individuals with the surname in countries with a history of British colonization, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Internet surname distribution maps suggest a modest concentration of Heryfords in the United States. However, due to its rarity, it does not feature prominently in any specific region.
Variations of the surname Heryford
The surname Heryford falls under the subcategory of English habitation names, deriving from a place name. This surname may have multiple variants and spellings, although comprehensive data on its variants is relatively scarce. Nevertheless, possible variants or similar surnames could include: Hereford, Heriford, Herford, Harford, and Hartford.
A further search might reveal more variants that have evolved over time due to illiteracy, different linguistic influences, clerical errors, or geographical relocation. Phonetic equivalent surnames deriving from the same origin can also exist, such as Hareford or Haryford, but detailed genealogical research would be needed to fully establish these connections.
Please note that the validity and connectivity of these variants are speculative and such variant surnames might not necessarily imply the same ancestry. For a full understanding, detailed genealogical research would be necessary which specifically focuses on the Heryford lineage and distribution.
Famous people with the name Heryford
- Tommy Heryford: former NFL running back primarily for the Oakland Raiders.
- Donald Heryford: U.S. army Sergeant Major and operations specialist for the Church of Latter-Day Saints.
- Gregg Heryford: American soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Vietnam War.
- Charles Heryford: an English actor who starred in the 2015 film "One More Time with Feeling".
- Robin Heryford: a British paralympic swimmer who has won several medals.
- Matt Heryford: an American basketball player who was drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2003.
- David Heryford: a U.S. scientist and leading expert on viral diseases.
- Bryce Heryford: a professional gamer and streamer.
- Robert Heryford: a Vice Admiral in the U.S. Navy.
- Ben Heryford: an American musician and singer-songwriter best known for his albums "Beneath the Sky" and "The War Within".