PICKFORD
Pickford
The surname Pickford is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "pic" meaning hill and "ford" meaning a shallow area of a river or stream that can be crossed on foot. The name likely originated as a locational name for someone who lived near a hill with a shallow river crossing.
Origins
The surname Pickford is first recorded in Staffordshire, England in the 14th century. Over time, families bearing this surname spread to various parts of England, particularly in the Midlands region.
Notable Bearers
One of the most famous bearers of the Pickford surname was Mary Pickford (1892–1979), a Canadian-born American actress and producer known as "America's Sweetheart" during the silent film era. She was a co-founder of the film studio United Artists and a significant figure in the early years of the film industry.
Distribution
Today, the surname Pickford is relatively uncommon, with the majority of individuals with this surname found in the United Kingdom and the United States. Variants of the surname include Pickforde and Pickfort.
Coat of Arms
The Pickford coat of arms depicts a red shield with a gold lion rampant. Above the shield is a silver helmet adorned with gold and red decorations, signifying courage, strength, and valour.
References
- Hanks, P., Hodges, F., & Mills, A. (2002). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 4,096 people named Pickford in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,272nd most common surname in Britain. Around 63 in a million people in Britain are named Pickford.
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
- Anthony
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Robert
- Simon
Female
- Elaine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gillian
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Maureen
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan