BEDFORD
Bedford
Bedford is an English surname of locational origin, derived from the town of Bedford in Bedfordshire, England. The name Bedford is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Bedanford, and it is believed to be of Old English origin, meaning "the ford of a man called Beda."
Historical Significance
The Bedford surname can be traced back to medieval England, where families residing in or around the town of Bedford adopted the name as a way to identify their place of origin. Over time, the name spread to different parts of the country as people moved and settled in new areas.
Notable Bearers
- John Bedford: An influential figure in the 16th century English court.
- Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan (née Miller): Known by her pen name Agatha Christie, a renowned British writer of detective novels and plays, was born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller in Torquay, Devon, England, in 1890. She married Archibald Christie in 1914 and divorced him in 1928. In 1930, she married Sir Max Mallowan, a British archaeologist.
Contemporary Popularity
The surname Bedford continues to be prevalent in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, with individuals bearing the name found in various professions and walks of life.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1991). A dictionary of English surnames. Routledge.
There are approximately 12,993 people named Bedford in the UK. That makes it the 691st most common surname in Britain. Around 200 in a million people in Britain are named Bedford.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Angela
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan