Cornford

Origin of the Name Cornford is an English surname with its roots dating back to the pre-7th century Old English era. The name is believed to be locational, derived from the place called Cornford in East Sussex, England. The word "Corn" refers to a corner or angle, and "Ford" signifies a shallow part of a river allowing it to be crossed.

Historical Significance The Cornford surname has been documented in various historical records, particularly in the county of Sussex. One notable figure with this surname is Francis Macdonald Cornford (1874–1943), a renowned classical scholar and poet who made significant contributions to the field of Greek philosophy. Another notable individual is L. P. Hartley, whose birth surname before being adopted was Cornford. Hartley was a prominent British novelist known for his work "The Go-Between."

Distribution and Present-day Bearers The Cornford surname is relatively rare, with most bearers found in the United Kingdom. The distribution of this surname is primarily concentrated in southern England, particularly in regions such as Sussex and its surrounding areas. In modern times, individuals bearing the surname Cornford can be found across the UK, with some branches of the family potentially having spread to other parts of the world through migration.

Coat of Arms The Cornford family crest features distinctive elements that symbolise various qualities and attributes associated with the name. The shield is typically emblazoned with symbols such as angles, rivers, or wheat, which are indicative of the name's locational and agricultural origins. The crest may also include colors and motifs that hold personal or familial significance to specific branches of the Cornford family.

Notable Variants and Derivatives Throughout history, variations of the Cornford surname have emerged, such as Cornforth and Cornforde. These variants may have originated from regional dialects, phonetic spellings, or individual preferences. Despite these variations, the core identity and historical legacy associated with the Cornford name remain consistent across different branches and spellings of the surname.

There are approximately 1,454 people named Cornford in the UK. That makes it roughly the 5,474th most common surname in Britain. Around 22 in a million people in Britain are named Cornford.

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

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Kevin
  • Mark
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Stephen

Female

  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Ellen
  • Emma
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Kathleen
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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