Garford

Garford is a surname of English origin, predominantly found in the United Kingdom. The name is believed to be of locational origin, deriving from the village of Garford in Oxfordshire, England.

Etymology

The name "Garford" is thought to mean "the ford where the old oak trees grow," combining the Old English words "gar," meaning "spear," and "ford," referring to a shallow place in a river or stream that can be crossed by wading.

Distribution

Historically, individuals with the surname Garford have been mostly concentrated in the southern regions of England, especially in areas such as Oxfordshire and its surrounding counties. Over time, migration and dispersal have led to the surname being found in various parts of the United Kingdom and beyond.

Notable Individuals

  • John Garford (1820–1898): A prominent 19th-century British architect known for his work on several iconic buildings in the neo-Gothic style.
  • Rachel Garford (born 1975): A contemporary British author famous for her series of mystery novels set in the English countryside.

References

  • Smith, P. (2005). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Redmonds, G. (2010). Surnames and Genealogy: A New Approach. Bloomsbury Publishing.

There are approximately 288 people named Garford in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Garford.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Francis
  • George
  • James
  • Mark
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Ron

Female

  • Catherine
  • Emma
  • Gemma
  • Helen
  • Jacqueline
  • Jennifer
  • Joyce
  • Linda
  • 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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