Durnford Surname

The History of the Surname Durnford

The surname Durnford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "dunn," meaning hill, and "ford," referring to a shallow area in a river where one can cross. Therefore, the name likely originally denoted someone who lived near a hill with a ford or crossing.

Records of the surname Durnford date back to medieval England, where it was first found in counties such as Wiltshire, Devon, and Hampshire. The name was often spelled in various ways throughout history, including Durenford, Durneford, and Darnford.

Notable Individuals with the Surname Durnford

One notable individual with the surname Durnford was Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony William Durnford, a British Army officer who served in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He is best known for his role in the Battle of Isandlwana, where British forces suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Zulu army.

Another prominent figure with the surname Durnford is Sir John Durnford, a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars. He played a key role in several naval battles against the French and was eventually promoted to the rank of Admiral.

Distribution of the Surname Durnford

The surname Durnford is most common in Canada, with an incidence of 827, according to data from the most recent census. It is also prevalent in England, the United States, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, with incidences of 370, 299, 87, 46, and 26, respectively.

In addition to these countries, the surname Durnford can also be found in smaller numbers in countries such as Wales, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, and Singapore, with incidences ranging from 18 to 4.

Variant Spellings of the Surname Durnford

Over the centuries, the surname Durnford has been spelled in various ways, depending on local dialects and pronunciations. Some common variant spellings of the name include:

• Durenford
• Durneford
• Darnford
• Durneford

These different spellings can make it challenging for individuals researching their family history to trace their Durnford ancestors accurately.

Famous Families with the Surname Durnford

One well-known family with the surname Durnford is the Durnford family of Wiltshire, England. This ancient family has been traced back to the 12th century and has played a significant role in local politics and society for generations.

Another notable Durnford family is the Durnford-Smith family of Ontario, Canada. This family has a long history in the region and has been involved in various industries, such as agriculture, finance, and politics.

Conclusion

Overall, the surname Durnford has a rich history and is associated with notable individuals and families in various countries. Its Anglo-Saxon origins and variant spellings add to its complexity and make it an intriguing name for genealogists and historians to explore.

The surname Durnford within the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Equivalent occurs in the case of Durnford, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said that it is a surname that can be found in all the countries of this globe. In the same manner you can find nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of men and women using the surname Durnford is higher than in other countries.

The map of this Durnford surname

1. Canada (827)
2. England (370)
3. United States (299)
4. Australia (87)
5. South Africa (46)
6. New Zealand (26)
7. Wales (18)
8. United Arab Emirates (11)
9. Jersey (5)
10. Norway (5)
11. Singapore (4)
12. Italy (3)
13. Scotland (2)
14. Bahrain (1)
15. Brazil (1)
16. Dominican Republic (1)
17. Spain (1)
18. France (1)
19. Ireland (1)
20. Netherlands (1)
21. Sweden (1)
22. Turkey (1)
23. Vietnam (1)