Surname Holford - Meaning and Origin
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Holford: What does the surname Holford mean?
The English surname Holford comes from a topographic name, referring to someone who lived near a hollow or deep valley. Although the literal translation is relatively simple, the surname can vary in multiple spellings, such as "Halford", "Hollford", and even "Hafford".
The common consensus for the origin of this surname is ultimately Anglo-Saxon, relating to 55 BC when Julius Caesar arrived in Britain. However, the original inhabitants were of Celtic origin, and the meaning of the name could be derived either from the Anglo-Saxon language or its Brythonic relative.
The name can either refer to the area of Holford in Somerset, England, which was perhaps derived from a combination of old English words such as "hol" meaning hollow and "ford" meaning a ford (a shallow crossing spot for a river or stream).
Or, it could refer to holt, an old English word meaning a grove of trees, and ford, as a ford was located nearby. Alternatively, the name could be derived from the Middle English words "hal" meaning "neck of land" and "ford".
No matter the authentic origin of the name, Holford is a common English surname, usually carrying the connotation of someone who is a peaceful dweller of a rural landscape, and is proud of his roots.
Order DNA origin analysisHolford: Where does the name Holford come from?
The last name Holford can be found all over the world today. In the United Kingdom, Holford is most common in the southwest of England. The last name is especially prevalent in the counties of Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset. In the United States, Holford is most often found in northern states like Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Holford is likely of Anglo-Saxon origin and typically derived from a place-name. The Old English word hol, meaning hollow, was combined with ford, a shallow area of water or small river crossing, to form a habitation name. The Holford surname may have originated from dwellers near a hollow ford in many locations across the United Kingdom.
Due to its widespread origins, it is not uncommon to find the surname Holford in many English-speaking countries across the world. Research shows that the name can be found in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Holford is also a popular surname throughout Europe, with many occurrences of the name in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Holford
Holford is an English surname derived from an Old English place-name. The name is believed to be derived from the combination of two Old English elements 'holm', which meant an island or piece of dry ground surrounded by water or marsh, and 'ford', which meant a shallow crossing or a place where a river could be crossed on foot.
Common variants of Holford include Hallford, Hollowford, Holliford, Holdford, Halliford, Halliforth, Hilliford, Hollaford, Holiford, Halford, Hillford, Hilltford, Holfre, Holfore, Holforde, Holfors, Holforth, Holverford, Holdforth, Holtfore and Holverfurd.
Surnames of similar origins that could be mistaken for Holford are Harford, Halford, Harrington and Hefford; however, these names have very different etymologies. Harford is derived from a Old English personal name, Halford from the Old English 'halh' for nook or corner and Harrington from an Old English place-name. Hefford is an alternate spelling of the Old English personal name Heolford.
Famous people with the name Holford
- Jordan Holford: British mixed martial arts fighter.
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- John Ernest Holford: British actor and director.
- Hansel Holford: American record producer and songwriter.
- Ester Lucille Holford: American dancer and choreographer.
- Anna Holford: British actress and writer.
- Hugh Holford: British Paralympic swimmer.
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- Mike Holford: British footballer.
- Ian Holford: Australian conductor and choirmaster.
- Gary Holford: Australian actor and musical theatre director.
- Richard Holford: British actor and screenwriter.
- Michael Holford: British Paralympic athlete and coach.
- Mark Holford: Vice-President and Head of Perfect Word USA.
- Graham Holford: British painter, illustrator & sculptor.
- Frank Holford: British RAF officer and businessman.
- Mark Holford: British composer.
- Nicola Holford: British Olympic triathlete.
- Nicholas Holford: British physician and medical informatics researcher.
- Darnley Holford: British politician.