Linford

Linford is a British surname of Old English origin, believed to have derived from a locational name. The name is thought to be a combination of the Old English personal name "Linda" and "ford," which means a shallow place in a river or stream where one can cross. The surname Linford is primarily found in the central and eastern regions of England.

Origins and Distribution

The Linford surname dates back to medieval times and is most commonly found in counties such as Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. The name's associations with rivers and fords suggest that the original bearers of the name may have come from places located near water crossings.

Notable Individuals

One of the most notable bearers of the surname was the British athlete Larry Achike Linford Christie, known professionally as Linford Christie. Christie won numerous medals in sprinting events at the Olympics and World Championships during the 1980s and 1990s.

References

  • Reaney, P.H., and R.M. Wilson. A Dictionary of English Surnames. London; New York: Routledge, 2006.

There are approximately 1,968 people named Linford in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,258th most common surname in Britain. Around 30 in a million people in Britain are named Linford.

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

  • Adam
  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Carol
  • Elaine
  • Heather
  • Jennifer
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • 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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