Gilford Surname

The Origin of the Surname Gilford

The surname Gilford is of Anglo-Saxon origin, with roots dating back to medieval England. It is derived from the Old English personal name 'Gyldford', which means 'golden ford'. The name likely refers to someone who lived near a ford that was notable for its golden color, either due to the sediment in the water or the light of the sun reflecting off of it.

Early Recordings of the Surname

The surname Gilford is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The recording in the Domesday Book indicates that the surname was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, suggesting a long history of the name in England.

Over the centuries, the surname Gilford spread to other English-speaking countries, including Ireland, Scotland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and others. The surname has also been recorded in countries with historical ties to the British Empire, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Caribbean.

Distribution of the Surname

According to data collected from various countries, the surname Gilford is most common in the United States, with an incidence of 1720. This suggests that the name has a strong presence in American society and may have originated from early English immigrants to the New World.

In England, the surname Gilford is most common in the regions of England, Wales, and Scotland, with incidences of 466, 23, and 15 respectively. This distribution indicates that the name is evenly spread across the different countries that make up the United Kingdom.

Outside of the UK and the US, the surname Gilford is also found in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Australia, Malta, Guyana, and others, though in smaller numbers. These instances of the surname in diverse countries suggest that the name has traveled far from its English origins.

Notable Bearers of the Surname

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Gilford have made significant contributions to various fields, including politics, literature, science, and more. One notable bearer of the name is John Gilford, a British politician who served as a Member of Parliament in the 19th century.

In the United States, the surname Gilford is associated with the Gilford family of New York, who were prominent landowners and businessmen in the 19th century. The family's legacy continues to this day, with descendants involved in philanthropy and community service.

Variants of the Surname

Like many surnames, the name Gilford has undergone various spelling changes and adaptations over the centuries. Some common variants of the name include Guilford, Gylford, and Gilfort. These variations may have arisen due to dialectical differences, clerical errors, or personal preferences.

Despite these differences, all variants of the surname Gilford share a common origin and meaning, connecting individuals who bear the name to their ancestors and the landscapes they once inhabited.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the surname Gilford is a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage of the English-speaking world. From its origins in medieval England to its presence in countries around the globe, the name has endured through the centuries, connecting generations of individuals to their past and their shared identity.

Whether as a marker of family lineage, a symbol of geographic origin, or a reminder of the golden fords of old, the surname Gilford continues to hold meaning and significance for those who bear it, linking them to a legacy that stretches back to the mists of time.

The surname Gilford in the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it can be done to get African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. The exact same happens in the case of Gilford, which as you can corroborate, it can be said that it's a surname that can be found in all the countries of this globe. Just as you will find nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of men and women because of the surname Gilford is more than in other countries.

The map of this Gilford surname

View Gilford surname map

The chance of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Gilford on the planet, helps us plenty. By putting ourselves on the map, for a tangible country, we could begin to see the tangible number of individuals using the surname Gilford, to obtain this way the precise information of all Gilford that one can presently find in that country. All this also assists us to know not just in which the surname Gilford arises from, but also in what manner the individuals who are initially the main family that bears the surname Gilford have moved and moved. In the same way, you can see by which places they have settled and developed, which is the reason why if Gilford is our surname, this indicates interesting to which other countries associated with world it is possible this one of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Gilford on earth

If you consider it very carefully, at apellidos.de we provide you with everything you need so that you can have the true information of which nations have actually the highest number of individuals utilizing the surname Gilford within the whole globe. Moreover, you can observe them in a really graphic means on our map, in which the nations with all the greatest number of individuals utilizing the surname Gilford can be seen painted in a more powerful tone. This way, sufficient reason for an individual glance, it is possible to locate in which nations Gilford is a very common surname, plus in which countries Gilford is definitely an unusual or non-existent surname.

The fact that there was no unified spelling for the surname Gilford when the first surnames were formed allows us to find many surnames similar to Gilford.

Errors in writing, voluntary changes by the bearers, modifications for language reasons... There are many reasons why the surname Gilford may have undergone changes or modifications, and from those modifications, surnames similar to Gilford may have appeared, as we can see.

Discerning whether the surname Gilford or any of the surnames similar to Gilford came first is not always easy. There are many reasons that could have led to the surname Gilford being written or pronounced differently, giving rise to a new, different surname Gilford with a common root.

Gilford Surname

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