Surname Ufford - Meaning and Origin

Ufford: What does the surname Ufford mean?

The last name Ufford is believed to have originated as a topographical name from Ufford Hill in Suffolk, England. It likely derives from the Old English words ufa, meaning "off" or "at a distance," and ord, meaning "point" or "edge." Taken together, the Old English translation of Ufford is "distant ridge," which probably referred to the prominent hill where the original Ufford family lived.

A significant Ufford family existed in the Suffolk area of England since at least the 11th century. Some well-known bearers of the name include Sir William de Ufford, who fought at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298 as a knight under Edward I, and John Ufford, a 14th-century English Archbishop of Canterbury.

More recently, the Ufford surname remains wide-spread. Various branches of the family are known to have settled in Canada, the United States, and other places around the world.

Surnames are a great way to trace family history and traditions. Because of the rich history associated with the Ufford surname, it is often seen as a source of pride and can be a great conversation starter. Whether you have a long history connected to the name Ufford or whether it's your first encounter with it, it's a unique and interesting piece of lineage.

Ufford: Where does the name Ufford come from?

The last name Ufford is a surname of English origin. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It has also been found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Ufford name dates back to the 11th century. Over this period of time, the Ufford surname has spread throughout the continents.

The Ufford surname began as a result of its bearer living in a location by the name of Ufford. This town is located in Suffolk, in the east of England. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English name meaning 'Uffa's Ford', indicating a ford of a river or stream owned by someone by the name of Uffa.

Through the centuries, the Ufford surname has propagated and developed within the English language. The name is now extremely rare, however, it is believed to have carried on through some of the English migrating to the United States and Canada in the 19th century. In some cases, the spelling has morphed to Upford and Offord.

Today, Ufford is still mainly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Suffolk, East Anglia and Staffordshire. It is also believed to have spread through various other European countries. It is also found in small amounts throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname Ufford

The surname Ufford has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include the surnames Oford, Offord, Oford, Uphoff, and Uphold. The surname is of English origin and appears to have first originated within a small parish of the same name located in Suffolk County, England. The name is derived from the Old English words uffe and ford, which translate to "Uffa's ford". It is thought that the original bearers of the name were connected to a ford located near Uffa's homestead.

The surname Ufford has mainly been found in the British Isles. As time went on, the spelling of the surname underwent adaptations and variations, as surnames often do. The variations of the Ufford surname within the United Kingdom may have been due to the different regional dialects of the time. Uphoff, for instance, is a variation which is mainly present in the regions of Germany, while Uphold is predominantly found in the Bavaria region.

While the Ufford surname has largely stayed within the British Isles, some variants, such as Offord or Oford, have proliferated as far as the United States. Offord and Oford can both be found in the states of Ohio and Maine, where they are mainly concentrated in the cities of Cleveland and Portland respectively.

Overall, the many variations of the Ufford surname provide a reminder of the progression of surnames over time. The numerous spellings and versions of the surname speak of the different climates and languages in which it was documented, while also presenting a reminder of its original creators—Uffa and his ford.

Famous people with the name Ufford

• Allen Ufford: former Chairman and CEO of USX Corporation.
• Zebadiah Ufford: West Virginia legislator in the 18th century.
• Jack Ufford: English cricketer and footballer.
• James Ufford: influential early New England settler.
• George Ufford: member of the British Parliament in the late seventeenth century.
• Charles Ufford: American Civil War Union Army colonel.
• Simon Ufford: English writer and filmmaker.
• William Ufford: English hermit and anchorite in the 14th century.
• Ash Ufford: American punk rock bassist.
• Jen Ufford: Australian actress.

Other surnames

Uffort